Summer flowing herbaceous clematis

There is a great diversity of form in herbaceous clematis. C.integrifolia varies from 30 to 90cm in height, in a wide colour range, and requires some support from other herbaceous perennials or small silver birch twigs. At the other end of the scale C.jouiniana Praecox may ascend up the corner of a wall to 6m or more, and the newish introductions from Central Europe will grow to 3m. The shorter species and their cultivars will die to the ground each winter, but those taller growing may be pruned to 1m or more from the ground if a permanent framework of stems is required. The majority flower from July to September, with great shows of blooms in a wide range of colours

Aljonushka Simple leaves, always looking fresh, provide a perfect foil for the large numbers of mid pink 5cm bells. Semi-herbaceous to 3.5m, it needs a few ties onto trellis. A fine plant from Estonia. Much admired and easy to grow	D
Arabella Flat blue pansy-shaped flowers cover this plant for weeks on end; it grows to 3m with a 2.5m width	D
C.aromatica Masses of sweetly scented purple flowers held erect by 1m stems in clumps. Well worth growing	E
C.x durandii Bright green leaves all the way up the stems, which terminate in numerous flower heads of deepest indigo blue. Probably the best known of the semi-herbaceous clematis. Grown in quantity in Japan as a cut flower; has good keeping qualities in water. Looks brilliant with an orange/yellow rose	D
C.eriostemon Tall growing for this semi herbaceous to 3m if tied in loosely. In Christopher Lloyd's border at Great Dixter, thousands of deep-blue bells hang on a specimen plant grown up three poles lashed together at the top	D
C.fusca Our form reaches 1m and has hairy deep brown flowers. Popular with collectors	D
C.heraclifolia campenile Small hyacinth flowers in mid sky blue with a paler bar. Raised in France in Lemoine, near Nancy, circa 1900. Reaches 1.5m in the border	E
C.heracliafolia China Purple A new shade of rich purple with some scent grown from seed gathered beneath the Great Wall of China a few years ago. The plant was spotted blooming profusely with deepest bottle green foliage and bearing spikes of typical hyacinth flowers. It is not easily propagated, but we have a few plants now that are quite easy to grow	F
C.heracliafolia Cote de Azure Small pale blue flower, with whiter stripe in the bell	D
C.heracliafolia Davidiana Deep blue tubular hyacinth flowers in profusion. Good scent for the border. Grows to 1.5m	D
C.heracliafolia Wyvale Flat sky-blue flowers in continuity over 6–8 weeks. A delightful fragrance – the nursery tunnels fill up with the perfume of this one	G
C.heracliafoliaMrs R.Brydon Thousands of white stars edged in blue giving the appearance of gypsophylla.The large decorative leaves always attract attention. Climbs over our fence and flowers for weeks	E
Inspiration A new taller growing herbaceous clematis similar in habit to C.x durandii.The pink flowers however are a new colour break in this group, borne in profusion up to 1.5m from the ground	E
C.integrifolia A short growing perennial, with deep blue flowers hanging like bells from July to October	B
C.integrifolia Alba A select white form, with larger flowers	D
C.integrifolia Hendersonii Deep blue bells. Bred at St John's Wood circa 1900	B
C.integrifolia Olgae Sky blue with a good scent	C
C.integrifolia Pangbourne Pink Deepest pink, larger flowers	D
C.integrifolia Rosea We have a good stock of larger pink flowers	C
C.integrifolia Tapestry Pinky mauve	D
C.jouiniana Preacox Spectacular show of white stars, with blue edges. Fast-growing, semi-herbaceous evergreen that will grow 9m up the corner of walls, cover large areas of ground	D
C.mandshurica Semi evergreen flowers in the autumn, with sweet smelling creamy stars. We grow ours on a north wall to 1.5m	E
Petit Faucon (Evis) (Little Falcon) Violet-blue flowers hanging as hovering falcons on 1m stems, with white staminodes. Very pretty in the border	D
C.recta grandiflora Masses of frothy white stars of good perfume. Grows to 1.5 m	C
C.recta Peveril A compact form that does not require as much support	D
C.recta Purpurea Few plants can match the deep red-purple leaves appearing in April from the ground, followed by fragrant white flowers later in the Summer	E
Rouguchi A taller version of the C.integrifolia, with substantially larger flowers of deepest indigo with silver margins on the tepals. The form of the plant is very attractive and it is always in demand	F
Songarica A clematis that appears like white rock, with sweetly scented flowers. Grows up 1 m	B
C.viorna Leathery urn shaped flowers of burgundy, with recurved cream lips. Eyecatching semi-herbaceous to around 1.5m	E