Clematis 'Blue'

'Blue' offers nodding blooms that open from large, egg-shaped buds that are themselves quite attractive. Two to three inches wide, the flowers seem to float weightlessly, their blue petals spread wide to reveal the central "tongue" of white to key-lime green. Among the first Clematis to flower each spring, 'Blue' follows its blooms with large, wispy seedheads of silver that make attractive and long-lasting additions to dried arrangements in the vase or wreath. And often the show is repeated, on a smaller scale, in summer!

'Blue' is quite prepared to tackle rough winter weather, and also fares well in the sultry southern and western summers of the U.S. Unlike most ornamental Clematis, it does not mind a bit of shade, making it invaluable in gardens where sunshine is a scarce commodity.

'Blue' is a Group I Clematis for pruning purposes, welcome news indeed to any seasoned Clematis grower! It flowers on old wood, so needs no pruning at all. If, however, you want to contain and shape this climber, cut it back directly after the blooms pass in late spring. This will give the plant time to grow all summer, ensuring you of flowers the following spring. (If something goes amiss and your pruning is delayed, no worries -- 'Blue' will continue to thrive, and the flowers will reappear one season later.) Whether you plan to prune 'Blue Bird' annually, sporadically, or not at all, DO be sure to cut it back the first and second year in late spring. This will create more stems and result in a lifetime of lush, full growth.

Reaching 8 to 10 feet long and about 2 feet wide, 'Blue' is ideal for threading through fences and up among the open, bare branches of shrubs and trees that are late to leaf out in spring. Like all Clematis, it is a good companion to climbing roses, though its earlier bloomtime means that you will get a succession of flowers (first the Clematis, then the Rose) rather than a combination of both at the same time. It does well tumbling down the levels of terrace gardens, and likes to blanket a big boulder or other architectural feature in the garden. Never invasive, it grows easily and well, establishing slowly (the way of all Clematis!) and surely.

Do consider making 'Blue' part of your sunny to lightly shaded border. Its color is hard to find in the garden, its performance always reliable and often exceptional, and its beauty unmatched.