Clematis Red Mix - Rouge Cardinal, Mrs N. Thompson and Doctor Ruppel

Clematis Three Sisters red trio combines three varieties of clematis in the same pot, each offering a range of colours based on red. 'Rouge Cardinal' is a French creation, opening up to a dark red that gradually lightens. 'Mrs N. Thompson' comes from England and produces bright purple flowers. 'Doctor Ruppel' originates from Argentina and blooms with beautiful, impressively large two-tone pink stars. They are compact varieties, reaching a height of 2m or 2.50m and make a superb flowering pot from May to September. They will be ideal for a sunny balcony or terrace and do not need protection during winter as all three plants are very hardy.

Clematis belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae, like columbines or anemones. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia and North and Central America. The genus includes more than 200 species, mostly climbing plants. They can be compact or capable of reaching heights of up to 8m in trees like the Clematis montana, but also a few non-climbing herbaceous plants, such as the Clematis heracleifolia.
The range of beautiful blooms is so vast that choosing between them can be difficult. This collection will delight you with 3 superb varieties in complementary warm colours. The variety 'Rouge Cardinal', created in 1968, has the famous 'Ville de Lyon' and 'Pourpre Mat' as its parents. This crossbreeding has resulted in a superb variety with dark red flowers measuring 10 to 12cm in diameter, enhanced by a beautiful crown of cream stamens with purple anthers. Flowering begins in June, with very dark red flowers like precious velvet, and ends in September-October with flowers that gradually lighten. The flowering is followed by decorative silvery grey feathery seed heads that persist until winter. The smooth leaves are divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate, dark green leaflets. This clematis is relatively compact, reaching a height of 2.50m, up to a maximum of 3m if left unpruned.
The second plant in this composition, 'Mrs N. Thompson', is a relatively old English creation (1954) by breeder Walter Pennell, which has retained all its appeal. The main flowering period extends from May to June, with a second bloom in August-September. Beautiful star-shaped flowers, measuring 8 to 10cm in diameter, illuminate the foliage with their warm colours. The elongated tepals are swollen in the centre and are a beautiful violet hue on the periphery, quickly transitioning to a purple-red in the middle. The corolla's centre is made up of purple-red anthers and cream stamens. The deciduous foliage is light to medium green, which particularly enhances the flowers. This quite compact variety will reach a height of 2m, sometimes 2.50m if left unpruned.
'Doctor Ruppel', the third clematis, comes from much further away, as its breeder, who named it after himself, was born in Argentina before being introduced to Europe in the 1970s. It is very attractive with very large, single and occasionally semi-double flowers measuring 15cm in diameter. The long bright pink tepals in the middle lighten towards the periphery, making them appear even narrower than they are. While the flowers seem almost bicolour during the first bloom in May-June, the middle part of the tepals fades slightly during the second bloom in September. The cream-white heart of the stamens and anthers beautifully contrasts with the corolla, which is further enhanced by the dark green foliage. Pretty silvery and decorative feathery seed heads form at the end of the flowering period, further enhancing the interest of this variety.
These three clematis are very hardy (around -25°C) and love the sun, provided that their base is protected. A moist, humus-bearing soil is suitable for them, without excessive moisture, and this original composition will give you flowers throughout summer. A balcony or terrace is enough to enjoy their abundance.



This beautiful composition of generous climbers will enhance your terrace beautifully, creating an attractive scene that you can complement with other flowering plants. Buddleia Lilac Chip, a dwarf butterfly bush, will offer you lilac-blue spike flowers throughout the summer. Its spreading habit allows it to be grown in a pot for a long time, and its hardiness is similar to that of clematis. Another plant well suited for container gardening is the dwarf Indian lilac, such as the compact and dense variety Berry Dazzle. It is decorative from the appearance of its young bronze-tinted foliage and its summer flowering of pink-fuchsia is particularly abundant. Abelia Magic Daydream, with its semi-evergreen foliage variegated with white-cream and pink, and its bell-shaped white-pink fragrant flowers in summer, will also be a very good companion for your clematis.