Viticella Clematis 'Aotearoa'

Bold, purple flowers in abundance, each around 8-12cm across on a vigorous vine that is quick to establish and can grow three metres or more in a season once established. A fine choice with mid green to yellow leaves.

The name translates to land of the long white cloud, it is the Maori name for the North Island of New Zealand. It was discovered as a seedling by Alistair Keay in 1992.

Growing Viticella Clematis will have you looking like an expert green thumb without any of the hard work!

Viticella Clematis are easy, hardy and will establish quickly. The flowers are small but there are LOTS of them, they literally cover the tendrils. They are more heat tolerant and so will take more sun than the larger flowering varieties of Clematis and the cut flowers will even last well in a vase.

Viticella Clematis flower spring to autumn on the current seasons growth, they are Pruning Group 3, so pruning is simple, just cut them back hard early spring, and they will soon shoot up with new growth. They are also commonly known as Italian Clematis.

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.

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 the roots 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 hour's sun a day and shield from the hot afternoon rays. To perform at their best they should be fertilised well. Use a Rose Fertiliser every three months or so. Allow them time to settle in, the first year you may not see too much action, but by the second and third years they will have your attention, and for many more after that!