Clematis Manju

Clematis Manju, recently obtained in Japan, is a wonderful climbing plant that combines very double flowers that resemble the shape of clematis Taiga or Kokonoe, but surpasses them in floribundance. Its green and cream-white pompom flowers open in 3 stages, starting from a large central bud that opens into increasingly double star-shaped flowers, with curved petals ending in a point. This surprising little climber blooms tirelessly and generously from late spring to autumn. With a modest stature but rapid growth, it is well suited for container cultivation.

The Clematis genus belongs to the ranunculaceae family. 'Manju' is a very recent hybrid cultivar from Japan, whose flower truly embodies the refined spirit that inhabits each of the Japanese variety creations. 'Manju' has the genes of Clematis florida, a species native to Japan (despite its name!) and C. integrifolia, a robust and floriferous herbaceous clematis from Eurasia. This variety floods its vegetation with superb variegated cream-white and green flowers between June and the end of September or early October. It belongs to clematis group that flower on new growth.

Clematis Manju is a woody and climbing perennial plant with short stems that will not exceed 3 m high, with a spread of 1 m². The deciduous leaves are a bright green sometimes tinged with purple and carried on reddish stems. Some are composed of 3 oval to lanceolate leaflets measuring 3 to 7 cm (1 to 3in) long and 1.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) wide, some are simple and oval measuring 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) long. The very double flowers are composed of countless elliptical and recurved tepals, tapering at the tips, and are 4 to 6 cm wide. The centre is occupied by a large light green bud, surrounded by smaller petals, atop a collar of larger petals. The flower is initially green and takes on a creamy white colour when mature. This clematis clings to the support or host plant through twining stems with petioles transformed into tendrils. This variety has good health and good hardiness (-15°C). Its leaves dry up and fall off in winter.

Plant clematis alongside your climbing roses to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a genus rich in diversity, with varieties available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. The surprising 'Manju' variety will be perfect trained against a wall and very pretty in a shrub with pink flowers. Thanks to its modest size, it will easily fit in a small garden and thrive in a pot on a balcony or next to an entrance door, to welcome visitors with its unusual flowers.