Clematis Super Cute

Clematis 'Super Cute' is a charming new hybrid variety that has inherited the robustness of clematis viticella. The flowers of 'Super Cute' are medium-sized, semi-double when flowering begins, then single. They bloom abundantly throughout the summer, creating a lovely range of pink and mauve hues on this small climber. This moderately growing variety is particularly suitable for small gardens and container gardening. It is undemanding and thrives in full sun or partial shade in well-drained ordinary garden soil. Cut back to 25 cm (10in) above ground in March.

Clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia and North and Central America. The 'Super Cute' variety was introduced in 2018 at the Plantarium in Boskoop by the Dutch specialist in the genus, J. van Zoest B.V. It is descended from Clematis viticella, native to Southern Europe, known for its natural resistance to clematis wilt. It is a perennial, semi-woody, climbing herbaceous plant that reaches about 3 m (10ft) high with a minimum spread of 1 m (3ft). This clematis bears well-opened flowers, 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in diameter on the current year's growth, in successive waves from June to the end of summer. The flowers are solitary or grouped in small clusters. They have 6 to 8 broad, slightly overlapping, crinkled tepals, and sometimes a few additional small petals in the centre. Their base colour is a slightly mauve pink, with shades of mauve and often a darker mauve central zone. The centre of the flower has a beautiful crown of dark stamens. The smooth leaves are divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate, fairly dark olive-green leaflets. The foliage dries up in winter. This clematis attaches itself to supports or host plants using petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant clematis alongside your climbing or rambling roses ('New Dawn', 'Pomponella', 'Bouquet Parfait'), to extend the flowering season on your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a diverse genus, with clematis available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. Let them weave their way through bushes or bamboo. 'Super Cute' will also pair well with the white or pink flowers of other small clematis 'Patricia Ann Fretwell' or 'Little Mermaid', for example, to climb a fence or cover a wall exposed to the morning sun. It will also look beautiful next to a small blue-flowering clematis, such as 'Rooguchi'.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertiliser as it can stimulate foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to prevent excessive moisture.