Clematis patens General Sikorski

Clematis 'General Sikorski' is an enchanting variety with intense lavender-blue flowers. The large, glossy flowers boast a bouquet of yellow stamens in their centres. A pink or red midrib sometimes appears on the petals. This compact and dense variety blooms continuously from June to September. In the garden, it looks wonderful with light or yellow foliage, which complements its extraordinary blue flowering. It is suitable in a pot on a patio or even in bouquets. This hardy variety is perfectly vigorous.

The genus Clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. 'General Sikorski' is a cultivar obtained in Poland in 1965, awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society in England. It is derived, among others, from C. patens, a woody clematis native to forests and brushy slopes in Japan, Korea, and northern China, up to an altitude of 1000m (3281ft). It flowers in June-July on the previous year's wood, and then re-flowers in August-September on the current year's growth, almost without interruption. It is a woody and climbing perennial plant with short stems, reaching a height of 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft), with a spread of 1m². Every spring, a multitude of stems emerge from its base. The small, deciduous leaves are medium green and are composed of 3 narrow leaflets or are single. The very large, round-shaped flowers are composed of 6 undulate, silky, blue-violet petals with white undersides. They are 12 to 18cm (5 to 7in) wide. The centre is occupied by cream stamens with yellow anthers. This clematis attaches itself to a support or host plant through voluble stems with petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside climbing roses to extend the flowering period until the end of summer. It is a diverse genus, 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 wonderful variety 'General Sikorski' is perfect in a small garden. It will thrive perfectly in a pot on a balcony or next to a door, embracing a small bamboo structure. It can be paired with plants with yellow foliage such as Heuchera 'Lime Rickey' or H. 'Citronelle', Fuchsia magellanica 'Aurea', the golden holly (Ilex aquifolium 'Golden Milkboy'), or Sambucus racemosa 'Aurea', installed at the back of a bed. Its flowers can be used in bouquets.