Clematis atragene macropetala Markham's Pink

The Clematis macropetala 'Markham's Pink' is a hardy climbing perennial that offers a charming and sparkling spring flowering. Its slightly pendulous bell-shaped flowers gradually straighten up and open to reveal numerous pointed tepals. These in turn reveal a beautiful creamy yellow heart with light green highlights. With its acidic pink colour, this flowering adds a lot of poetry to the garden and allows it to colonise trellises, walls, and fences.

Like most of its cousins, 'Markham's Pink' prefers a light, deep, moist, and fertile soil, preferably neutral. It appreciates a sunny or partially shaded position, with the base always in shade. It is frost-resistant and can withstand even prolonged freezing temperatures. However, it does not like stagnant moisture, so the substrate must be well-draining and watering should be moderate (if necessary, especially in the first year).

From March to May, this Clematis, which can reach a height of up to 2.50 m (8ft), bears solitary semi-double bell-shaped flowers, measuring 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, on the previous year's branches. These flowers consist of numerous elongated tepals that end in a point, giving them the appearance of large pink pin cushions. They are slightly pendulous and open as they rise, revealing a heart composed of multiple slightly greenish cream stamens. At the end of the flowering period, feathery and airy fruits appear, decorating the foliage until winter. The leaves, composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, are deciduous and beautifully dentate. They are carried by voluble stems that twine around their support.

The Clematis 'Markham's Pink', when combined with other varieties or married with a climbing rose, perfectly dresses walls, fences, bamboo pyramids, or the trunk of a tree. Thus, the 'New Dawn' Rose, the 'Parasol', 'Joséphine', and 'Patens 'Andromeda' Clematis varieties will take over and ensure summer flowering in the same hues. Don't forget to also provide for the beginning of spring with tulip bulbs and autumn with Asters. This way, you will cover the entire flowering season.