Clematis ligusticifolia × serratifolia Grace

The clematis ‘Grace’, often sold under the name Clematis tangutica ‘Grace’, is a Tangutica group clematis with cream-white flowers. It differs from the better-known yellow selections by its small, wide-open flowers enhanced by purple-red stamens. Flowering begins in summer and often continues until early autumn. It is then followed by silvery, feathery seed heads. This graceful clematis will adorn a trellis, an arbour or a large shrub that is not too dense.

This variety belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. Its exact name is Clematis ‘Grace’ or Clematis ‘Grace’ (Tangutica group). The names Clematis tangutica ‘Grace’ and Clematis serratifolia ‘Grace’ are still encountered in horticulture, but they oversimplify its origin. This cultivar is not derived from the botanical species Clematis tangutica; it is a hybrid obtained in Manitoba by Frank L. Skinner in 1925, from Clematis ligusticifolia and C. serratifolia. It is assigned to the horticultural Tangutica group because it shares certain characters: late flowering on the current year's shoots, small single flowers, feathery fruiting and short pruning carried out at the end of winter. This plant is a deciduous woody liana, which loses its leaves in winter. It climbs by means of the stalks of its leaves, as they are capable of twining around wires, wire mesh or twigs. At maturity, it reaches 3 to 4 m in height, or even more if the support allows. Its leaves are light green, composed of three lanceolate, toothed, sometimes slightly lobed leaflets. The flowers measure 3 to 4 cm in diameter. They bear four cream-coloured sepals, widely open around a heart of purple-red stamens. They are produced in quantity from July to September; a few later flowers may be observed in mild climates. After flowering, the feathery seed heads remain decorative for several weeks. The foliage drops in winter and the new flowering stems grow vigorously in spring. Like many small-flowered botanical clematis, ‘Grace’ proves resistant if it grows in well-drained, fertile soil, neither waterlogged in winter nor too dry in summer.

Grow this clematis 'Grace' up a fairly sturdy support, a wall strung with wires or into a large shrub. The old rose Rosa ‘Phyllis Bide’, trained as a small climber, will pair well with its pale flowers. A nearby support can accommodate the Clematis viticella ‘Little Nell’  and its simple, light pink-white summer flowering. You can shade their base with Geranium renardii, Alchemilla erythropoda or Sesleria autumnalis.

Advice: avoid excessive fertiliser which encourages foliage at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch, to avoid excessive moisture that encourages clematis wilt.