Clematis Solidarnosc

Clematis 'Solidarnosc' (Solidarity) is a relatively recent Polish variety particularly appreciated for its bright flowers. It produces large star-shaped flowers in a stunning fuchsia red, all the way up its height, creating a magnificent spectacle in spring and again at the end of summer. The beautiful bright green foliage is covered in flowers for several weeks. Comfortable in the sun and also tolerant of light shade, it grows in ordinary, slightly moist soil and can cover a trellis up to 2.50m (8ft) high. It is a good variety for container cultivation, allowing you to bring colour to a terrace or balcony for much of summer.  

Clematis is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, like Anemones, Trollius, Hellebores and many other ornamental genera. With about 300 species, the genus Clematis includes many climbers, as well as a few herbaceous perennials, such as Clematis stans. Clematis patens, from which 'Solidarnosc' originates, is a woody clematis native to low-altitude forests in the northern Japanese islands, described in 1836. It belongs to the group of Clematis that flower twice. The first flowering appears in spring on the previous year's shoots, then a second in late summer on the current year's shoots. This characteristic explains its success since its introduction to Europe in the second half of the 19th century, where it has been extensively hybridized to produce many horticultural varieties.
'Solidarnosc' is a relatively recent Polish horticultural variety that appeared in 2004, and was awarded a silver medal the following year at the Plantarium trade fair in the Netherlands. This relatively recent cultivar is floriferous and remarkable for the size and colour of its single flowers with 6 tepals (petals and sepals that look very similar). The well-opened corollas almost form a star but with more rounded than pointed ends, in an extremely bright red, tending towards fuchsia, with purple anther-bearing stamens, carried by white-yellow filaments in the centre. This flowering is very long-lasting in May-June, and continues throughout the summer, ensuring long weeks of flowering, with a summer break. Another asset is the exuberant floribundity of this variety, which produces flowers from its base, highlighted by beautiful tri-palmate, bright green foliage. The very large flowers can reach 16cm (6in) in diameter, this size and their warm and bright colour makes them eye-catching.
This relatively compact clematis reaches 2.50m (8ft) high and 1.50m (5ft) wide, using long-petioled leaves that wrap around any support. It is very hardy and tolerates temperatures down to -20°C, or even lower, which explains its success in Central Europe. It grows in ordinary soil, neither too dry nor too wet, but well-drained in winter. It will prefer the sun, though it tolerates some shade. You can also plant it in a pot on your terrace or near an entrance.  

'Solidarnosc' is one of those varieties with moderate growth that fit in all gardens. Its dimensions are ideal for training on a trellis or dressing up a fence. Plant low-growing plants, shrubs or perennials at its base to make the most of its flowers. A carpet of Aubrieta will delight you with spring flowers before Solidarnosc takes over. Cerastium tomentosum var. columnae or Mouse Ears will accompany the large red flowers of this Clematis with its profusion of small white flowers. With Japanese Spirea Magic Carpet, it is mainly the changing foliage, bronze, orange, or yellow-green depending on the season, that will accompany Solidarnosc's vibrant flowering.