Clematis x viticella Pernille

Clematis Pernille ('Zo09113') is a new Dutch variety derived from C. viticella, from which it has inherited robustness and generous summer flowering. The medium-sized Pernille flowers are single and beautifully rounded. They are produced profusely throughout summer. Their colour is particularly bright and refined, in white and fairly deep mauve-pink. Enhanced by beautiful olive-green foliage edged with purple, they work wonders in romantic settings. This delightful little climber is easy to grow in many regions. Its moderate development is suitable for both small garden ornamentation and the decoration of patios or balconies.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia, and North and Central America. Pernille was introduced in 2017 by J. Van Zoest in the Netherlands and received the Gold Medal at Plantarium in Boskoop the same year. It descends, among others, from Clematis viticella, native to southern Europe, known for its natural resistance to clematis wilt.

This is a perfectly perennial, semi-woody and climbing herbaceous plant, which will reach an average height of 2.5m (8ft), with a minimum spread of 1m (3ft). This clematis bears fully open flowers, reaching 6 to 9cm (2 to 4in) in diameter. They bloom in successive waves on the current year's shoots, from June until the end of summer. The flowers are solitary or grouped in small bouquets. They have 4 broad and rounded tepals, overlapping at the base, with a slightly wavy texture. Their base colour is a slightly mauve white, with a wide mauve to pink border, as well as light marbling and veins of the same tone. The centre of the flower is adorned with a beautiful crown of white-cream stamens with mauve anthers. The olive-green glabrous leaves are divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate leaflets, and are sometimes finely edged with purple. The foliage dries up in winter. This clematis attaches itself to the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside climbing or rambling roses 'New Dawn', 'Pomponella', 'Bouquet Parfait'), to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. This is a genus rich in diversity, with flowers of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their ease of cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. Pernille will pair well with the pink flowers of C. 'Patricia Ann Fretwell' or C. 'Little Mermaid', for example, which are all small climbers of the same stature. They will look wonderful climbing a fence or covering a wall exposed to morning sun.

Avoid excessive use of fertiliser, as this stimulates foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch in order to avoid excessive moisture.