Clematis Jackmanii Hybrid 'Niobe'

Stunning ruby red, velveteen flowers spring to autumn. Each bloom is 12-15cm across and they are produced freely. It holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit so you know it not only looks good but is a strong grower.

Clematis ‘Niobe’ is Pruning Group 2. It is one of the very first deep red Clematis bred, by Wladyslaw Noll in Poland in 1970.

Jackmanii Clematis hybrids are gorgeous, large flowering Clematis. Their strong, vining tendrils are covered in flowers that look like brilliant jewels strung up in your garden. These blooms last for many weeks and even repeat across spring and autumn. Handsome, fluffy seed heads follow the blooms adding to the impressive show.

Clematis are perfect to soften harsh edges in the garden such as posts, pergolas fences and walls or even trees.

Clematis generally grow well where Roses flourish. They are also excellent in combination. You can use similar colours for a lovely blend or create some drama with contrasting shades. In fact, Clematis intermingle well with many plants – trees and shrubs especially as they use them for climbing up in a beautiful symbiosis. They are so versatile; you can even grow them in pots.

Jackmanii Clematis are deciduous climbers in pruning groups 2 or 3. They require a trellis/twine/wire or similar with something under a centimetre, that is thin enough to wrap their tendrils around.

The old adage is to plant your clematis 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 stem to grow up into a sunny position. 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 can 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. Clematis get better and better as they establish, they have a large root system that takes time to establish. So while the first season might be a bit ho hum, prepare to be amazed in the next.