Clematis Niobe (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)

An instant sensation since its introduction in 1975, Clematis 'Niobe' features large, velvety, deep ruby-red flowers, 6 in. across (15 cm), with contrasting butter-yellow anthers. The 6-8 sepals are broad at the base and taper towards the tips. They hold their color well all season. Flowering from late spring to early fall, this large-flowered clematis variety is ideal for small gardens, containers, arbors, and fences and looks terrific when combined with small to medium-sized shrubs.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
• Thrives in moist, well-drained soils, in full sun or part shade. Ideally, Clematis prefer having their 'heads in the sun and their feet in the shade'. Keep the roots cool and shaded by other plants or add a layer of pebbles or flat stones at the base. Afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer areas.
• Hardy, this clematis can quickly grow up to 8-10 ft. long (240-300 cm).
• Excellent choice for trellis, it can be trained to climb a wall, fence or arbor and is also well suited to containers. Combines beautifully with climbing roses.
• This Clematis belongs to the second group of Clematis – a group including Clematis which flower in early summer on short shoots developing from the last year's growth. Some flower again in late summer on new growth. These Clematis vines should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth starts and after the first flush of flowers in early summer.
• Prune in late winter or early spring:
  Remove dead or weak stems before growth begins. Check individual stems from the top down until you reach a pair of healthy buds, and prune just above them, removing the spindly or damaged growth above. Avoid heavy pruning or flowers will be lost
• Then prune again after the first flush of flowers:
  To encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season prune back some stems by cutting to large buds or a strong side shoot immediately below the blooms. Top-heavy or overgrown plants can be gradually reduced over two to three seasons by pruning back harder after the first flush of flowers. They are unlikely to produce a second flush of flowers but should flower again the following year, in late spring or early summer
• Alternatively, leave clematis in this group unpruned, and then hard prune them to 30-90cm (1–3ft) from the base every three or four years in late winter (as for pruning group three). In the first year after renovation, they will only flower once.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.