Clematis Rüütel (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)

Clematis 'Ruutel' features an abundance of large, velvety, deep red flowers, up to 7 in. across (18 cm), and similarly colored stamens in their center. Even after the pollen is shed and the dark reddish-brown anthers lose their color, the connectives are still red, maintaining an impressive depth of color through a long period of fading down. The 4-8 sepals are narrow but have charming ruffled edges. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring or early summer, then in late summer and early fall. The foliage of mid-green ternate leaves holds up well all season. Compact, this large-flowered clematis is ideal for containers and small gardens. Excellent when grown into small shrubs. 'Ruutel' means 'knight' in Estonian.

• Easy to grow and cultivate, this clematis thrives in moist, well-drained soils, in full sun. Tolerates dappled 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.
• Quickly grows up to 3-10 ft. long (190-300 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm).
• Deadhead after the first wave of blooms to promote new blooms.
• 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.