Clematis x jackmanii Warszawska Nike

Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' is a Polish creation dating back to 1966, derived from the excellent C. jackmanii. It is a particularly floriferous variety, of modest size but vigorous and easy to grow. It produces a profusion of large, single flowers with a velvety appearance, displaying a rich and deep purple colour tinged with violet, contrasting with a beautiful yellow stamen centre that can be seen from afar. This beautiful clematis will enthusiastically climb any support in the garden. It can also be planted in a pot with a trellis on a patio or balcony.

Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' is a horticultural creation attributed to the famous Polish breeder Stefan Franczak, renowned for his disease-resistant clematis. Bred in 1966, it was introduced to the market in 1986. This variety was awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society in England in 2002 and received a gold medal at Plantarium in the Netherlands in 1990. It inherited from C. jackmanii its floribundity and robustness. All these plants belong to the Ranunculaceae family. It is a Group 3 clematis, whose large flowers bloom almost throughout summer on the current year's growth. Clematis attach themselves to their support using petioles transformed into tendrils.

'Warszawska Nike' is a climbing plant with a woody base. It is well-branched with deciduous foliage. It grows rapidly and vigorously, reaching a height of 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft), with a spread of about 1m (3ft). This superb cultivar produces magnificent star-shaped single flowers with 6 (sometimes 8) petals, measuring 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in diameter. The flowering appears mainly at the top of the plant if it is not pruned. Otherwise, its foliage is almost completely hidden under an avalanche of velvety flowers, which boast a dark purple shade on the outside and a slightly silvery reverse. A beautiful yellow stamen heart is displayed in the centre. This abundant and luxurious flowering displays a rich colour harmony.

Summer-flowering clematis are quintessential climbers that never become invasive. They can be used in many ways. Emblematic plants of English gardens, clematis provide a romantic, natural, and wild touch to the garden. They will be perfect companions for climbing or rambling roses. They are ideal for adorning walls, trellises, pergolas, arches, and fences. You can also plant them in trees, shrubs, or hedges, to accompany their flowering, extend it or bring colour to their foliage. Compact clematis are also excellent candidates for container gardening, to animate a balcony or patio. It is wise to avoid excessively sunny locations, both in pots and in the ground. The 'Warszawska Nike' variety will be beautiful when planted with a white climbing or rambling rose such as 'Francis Lester', a Japanese maple, bamboo, ceanothus, althea, wisteria, or Chinese lilac. Use medium-height perennials, such as epimedium, daylily, hellebore, iris, or phlox, to shade its base.