Clematis Jackmanii Hybrid 'Ai Nor'

Soft, lilac pink flowers from late spring to autumn, each around 12-15cm across and a flash of violet at their heart.

Clematis ‘Ai Nor’ is a cross of C. ‘Ville de Lyon’ and (C. ‘Candida’ and C. Jackmanii ‘Alba’) it was bred by Ukrainian, M.A. Beskaravainaya at the Nikitsky State Botanica Garden in Crimea in 1972. It is pruning group 2.

Clematis make a statement of beauty without being overpowering. They are easy to grow and ideal for beginners, requiring little in the way of care and offering bountiful rewards.

The old adage is that Clematis grow well where Roses grow well, they are also excellent in combination. In fact, Clematis intermingle well with many different plants – trees and shrubs especially as they can be used for climbing in a beautiful symbiosis. You can use similar colours for a lovely blend, or create some drama with complimentary shades.

The Clematis catch phrase is to plant them so their 'head' is in the sun and their 'feet' are in the shade. In other words they like their root zone to be cool and protected, and the stems to grow up into the sunshine. You can protect the root zone with mulch and/or by using other plants to shield them from the sun.

Grow Clematis in humus rich, moist, well drained soil. They need good drainage, or the roots may rot. Plant so they will receive around six hours sun a day and are shielded from the hot afternoon rays. To perform at their best they should be fertilised well, to do this you can use a Rose Fertiliser every three months or so when they are actively growing. Clematis get better and better as they establish, so while the first season might be a bit ho hum, prepare to be amazed in the next.