Clematis integrifolia ‘Pangbourne Pink’

There is a quirkiness to the way the sepals of this plant twist about that always makes me smile.  The flowers themselves dangle from the end of stems that grow above the foliage so it seems as though they are peeping out above the plant.

This is an herbaceous clematis that will not climb.  It is best left to scramble over the ground or through other plants.  The stems will grow to about 80cm long and the flowers appear from July to September.  It grows best in well-drained soil in sun or part shade.

Although not much used in Britain as a cut flower, clematis lasts a long time in a vase. Because of its long flower stem this one is particularly suitable for cutting.