Clematis 'Blue River'

An Integrifolia Group clematis and multi-award winner, Clematis 'Blue River' is a semi-herbaceous, non-clinging variety with small, slightly nodding, star-shaped flowers up to 6-8cm across. The blooms open purple before ageing to a beautiful violet-blue, retaining a deeper purple centre and set off by a pretty ruff of creamy-white stamens. Flowering runs from midsummer into early autumn, followed by attractive feathery, silvery seedheads.

Growing to around 1-1.2m, 'Blue River' is a versatile, free-flowering variety - it looks fantastic scrambling through climbing roses or robust shrubs, mounding on pea sticks or brash as a specimen plant, or left unsupported to ramble as seasonal groundcover in the border.

Plant in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in full sun, at soil level as with other herbaceous clematis, keeping the roots and base of the plant shaded and cool with underplanting or a layer of pebbles. Being herbaceous, it will die back over winter - cut spent stems and foliage to the ground in February and apply a thick mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture. As with all clematis, the foliage and stems can be a skin irritant and are harmful if eaten, so it's best sited away from grazing pets and gloves are recommended when handling.

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