Clematis 'Abilene' 3ltr

Bred by Raymond Evison as part of the Boulevard® collection, Clematis 'Abilene' is a compact, deciduous climber that produces a profusion of star-shaped, bright pink flowers up to 12-15cm across. Each ruffled bloom is marked with a deeper pink central stripe, creating an eye-catching two-toned effect, and is set off by a contrasting tuft of frilly butter-yellow stamens.

Flowering comes in two waves - a generous first flush from late spring into early summer on the previous year's growth, followed by a lighter rebloom from late summer into early autumn on new growth. Its naturally short, compact habit makes 'Abilene' ideal for smaller gardens, patio containers, and planting with an obelisk for support.

Plant in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, with the crown 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots from below ground level. Keep the roots cool and shaded - either with underplanting or a layer of pebbles at the base - as clematis prefer their "heads in the sun and feet in the shade." Falls into Pruning Group 2, needing a light prune in late winter or early spring, and again after the first flush of flowers in summer. As with all clematis, the foliage and stems can be mildly irritating if handled or ingested, so it's best sited away from grazing pets.

Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch to ensure strong, healthy growth from the start.