Clematis patens Snow Queen

Clematis 'Snow Queen' is an elegant climbing vine. Between May and June, it produces an abundance of large flowers with immaculate white petals and purple stamens. The flowering sometimes reappears in September. It will thrive in deep, moist, rich, and well-drained soil, with its head in the sun and its feet protected. It is a wonderful medium-sized variety (2.5m (8ft)) for pergolas, arches, and arbours, or in a large pot.

Clematis 'Snow Queen' belongs to the large Ranunculaceae botanical family, which includes ornamentals as diverse as aconites, anemones, and ranunculus. Clematis has been of interest to flower enthusiasts for centuries, and nurserymen have devoted themselves to creating ever more opulent crosses. 'Snow Queen' is a variety obtained from the botanical species C. patens, native to Japan. This medium-sized variety reaches about 2 to 3m (8ft) high and 1.5m (5ft) wide. It has large trifoliate leaves, meaning deeply lobed with three lobes. Like most climbing clematis, it clings to its support thanks to petioles transformed into tendrils.

Clematis 'Snow Queen' is a hybrid obtained in 1958 by Callick in New Zealand. Hardy and floriferous, it bears a profusion of flowers with a diameter of 15 to 18cm (6 to 7in) between May and June. Particularly elegant and refined, they have pointed immaculate petals, whose brilliance is enhanced by violet stamens. In mild weather, the flowering often reappears in September.

Cultivating Clematis 'Snow Queen' is rather easy: give it deep, fairly rich, loose, moist but well-drained soil. The only truly formidable disease for this clematis is wilt disease, which appears when there is excessive moisture at the base. It is characterised by leaves that suddenly wilt. For most clematis, remember to follow the motto "head in the sun, foot in the shade". While relatively significant sunlight is necessary for good flowering, it is preferable to protect the base from intense sunlight, for example by placing a tile on top. It is also recommended to plant the stump horizontally to stimulate the growth of multiple buds from the base of the plant. Every year, at the end of winter, you can prune every other stem to 50cm (20in) from the ground to regenerate the wood and increase flowering. Take the opportunity to remove dead wood.

For an optimal setting, provide the clematis with a suitable support. In a pot, (which should be at least 25 cm (10in)), a small trellis may suffice. In the garden, a pergola, an arch in the company of another clematis such as Clematis alpina or C. flammula 'Summer Love', or even a small tree like Amelanchier lamarckii will be excellent supports to enhance its beauty. It can also be allowed to run along the ground, emerging happily amidst perennials.