Clematis 'UTOPIA' clematis, old man's beard

Utopia is a Japanese hybrid clematis bred by Kozo Sugimoto in 2001. It beards semi-large to large flowers with 6 petals whose colour is very light pink or almost white with richer magenta pink margins and anthers. The colour varies in sun and shade and responds to the amount of nutrients in the soil. Utopia clematis flowers in June and July, and again from September to October.

It belongs to Group 3 clematis, flowering on new growths. Cut back all the previous year's stems to a pair of strong buds, 15-20 cm above soil level, before growth begins in early spring.

Clematis likes deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil that remains cool. You can grow a plant below clematis that will provide shade for its roots. Add garden compost in late winter and mulch it well. Fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 07-09-2015