Clematis Blue River ('Zoblueriver') (PBR)

herbaceous clematis (group 3)

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained, neutral soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast growing
• Flowering period: June to September
• Flower colour: purple-blue
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This semi-herbaceous clematis is a stunner. Its small, star-shaped, purple-blue flowers have a pretty ruff of creamy-white stamens, and they appear from midsummer. If left unsupported it will rifle through the border creating good seasonal groundcover, but it also looks smart draped over robust shrubs, which might need a bit of tarting up in summer.
  
  
• Garden care: In early spring cut back the previous year's stems to a pair of strong buds about 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground-level and apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the plant, avoiding the immediate crown.