Clematis Jackmanii Hybrid 'Veronica's Choice'

A choice bloomer with soft, lavender shades and layered petals like antique lace. The lavender is subtle and whispers across the silver white petals, changing throughout the day in different lights, even hinting towards pink. The early blooms are big and full, to 15cm, while the second flush tend to be single or semi double with a nice elegance.

It was first raised in the 1960's, from seed by Walter Pennell, but not named until 1973, for his daughter. It is a hybrid of C. 'Vyvyan Pennell' and C. 'Percy Lake'. It is Pruning Group 2.

Jackmanii Clematis hybrids are gorgeous, large flowering Clematis that produce months of colour. The strong vine tendrils establish quickly and in no time are covered in flowers, that glow like brilliant jewels strung up in your garden.

Their elegant form is perfect for softening harsh edges such as posts, pergolas fences and walls or even trees.

Clematis grow well where Roses grow well. They are also excellent in combination. You can use similar colours for a lovely blend or create some drama with complimentary shades. In fact, Clematis intermingle well with many plants, trees and shrubs especially as they can be used for climbing in a beautiful symbiosis. They are so versatile, you can even grow them in pots.

The old adage is to plant your clematis so their 'head' is in the sun and their 'feet' are in the shade. In other words they like their root zone to be cool and protected, and the stem to grow up into a sunny position. You can protect the root zone with mulch and/or by using other plants to shield the roots from the sun.

Grow Clematis in humus rich, moist, well drained soil. They need good drainage or the roots can rot. Plant so they will receive around six hours sun a day and are shielded from the hot afternoon rays. To perform at their best they should be fertilised well, to do this you can use a Rose Fertiliser every three months or so. Clematis get better and better as they establish, so while the first season might be a bit ho hum, prepare to be amazed in the next.