Clematis 'Alba Luxurians'

The unusual open blossoms of this vigorous Clematis bob like pale butterflies drifting on the breath of a lazy wind. Luminous against the slightly glaucous foliage, the recurved tips of each 3 in. white flower are brushed with green, while its prominent eye of dark purple anthers is tipped with black. Plant with roses and let them intertwine up and over a pergola, or contrast it with the purple foliage of Sambucus 'Black Beauty'.

Clematis Alba Luxurians is an Award of Garden Merit winner due to its unusual coloration and its free flowering habit. Hundreds of blossoms appear in white with purple stamens and green tips. Viticella Hybrid Clematis. Veitch, UK c1900. This is a Group 3 (C) Clematis, which means it flowers later in summer and into fall in colder climates. In warmer climates it may begin blooming much sooner. Group 3 Clematis form flowers on new growth each year, so for the best display and neatest look they should be pruned back hard each spring to about two feet off the ground or even less if desired. However, if you are training one of these into a tree or onto an overhead arbor they should be left much longer. Look for fat, healthy buds on sturdy canes and make your cut just above them. Remove dead or damaged branches any time.

Honored with the RHS AWard of Garden Merit, this lovely late summer blooming has 4 petaled 3" white flowers flushed at the tips with pale green. Vigorous enough, it will grow to 12'.