Clematis × durandii (Integrifolia Group)

Regarded as one of the top favorite clematis by most gardeners, award-winning Clematis × durandii is a long-flowering herbaceous clematis. Deciduous, this non-twining sub-shrub produces showy, star-shaped, up-facing flowers, up to 4 in. (10 cm), adorned with 4-6 indigo-blue sepals and creamy anthers. Blooming profusely from early summer to early fall, this small-flowered clematis is not a vine. Its leaf stalks do not cling and this plant doesn't climb. Clad with simple, ovate, medium green leaves, the young stems hold themselves erect up to about 4 ft. (120 cm) before they need support. A cross between Clematis jackmanii and Clematis integrifolia, Clematis × durandii is hardy, easy to grow, and no trouble to prune, since it dies back when its season is over. An excellent clematis for long-lasting, often spectacular, summer to fall bloom.

• 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.
• Vigorous, this clematis can quickly grow up to 3-10 ft. long (90-300 cm).
• Sprawls beautifully over and through medium to large shrubs. Great for rambling through a bed of perennials. May be tied and trained up a support.
• This Clematis belongs to the third group of Clematis – a group including Clematis which flower in late summer on growth made in that season. They should be pruned in late winter or early spring and require 'hard pruning': simply cut back the stems to a pair of strong buds about 1ft. (30 cm) above ground level before growth begins in early spring.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.