Clematis 'VYVYAN PENNELL' old man's beard

This old man’s beard is as unique as its name – Vyvyan with two y’s? Wow! Anyway. Vyvyan Pennell clematis is possibly one of the most breath-taking varieties with fully double flowers. They are 10-13 cm across, pale lavender blue to mauve with lilac pink shades of the undersides of the petals. Profuse flowering begins in mid May and continues until late June. And after a break in hot summer days it will gain enough strength to flower again, this time with single flowers, from late August until the weather is warm and sunny. It is a compact variety.

It belongs to Group 2 clematis. Its flowers appear first in late spring and early summer on last year’s side shoots, and in mid- and late summer at the tips of the current year's shoots. In early spring remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins, trimming all remaining stems to where strong buds are visible. These buds provide a framework of second-year shoots that flower in late spring and early summer. The flowers may then be removed. Young shoots bear more flowers later in the summer.

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. -34°C (USDA zone 4) and suitable for outdoor pots.

Last update 13-09-2017