General description: The Vyvyan Pennell variety was created by Walter E. Pennell, a British botanist, and introduced to the market in 1959. It bears the creator’s name and is a cross between the Daniel Deronda and Beauty of Worcester varieties.

Flowers: The Vyvyan Pennell has large flowers, about 18 cm in diameter, semi-double when the shrub first blooms and single in the second flush. Its petals are acutely ended, lavender-mauve in colour, with a lighter streak running down the middle. In the centre of each flower is a cluster of creamy yellow anthers on pale filaments.

Blooming: This variety blooms from May to June on old stems and repeats flowering from August until September on the current year's shoots.

Leaves: Vyvyan Pennell’s leaves are green, trifoliate with entire (smooth) margins.

Cultivation requirements: This clematis can grow in the sun or partial shade. For optimal growth, it needs moist but well-drained soil rich in humus, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. The substrate must be breathable (heavy, compacted clays are not suitable). Locations near walls or other parallel support with south-eastern or south-western exposure are ideal.

Care: In autumn it is worth covering the base of the plant either with compost or decomposed, old or granulated manure, and in spring applying a mineral fertilizer is recommended. Regular generous watering is needed during the growth season (unless heavy rainfall occurs).

Pruning: Trimming a young clematis plant should not be feared – such pruning forces outward growth right from the base, and as a result the shrub looks denser in later years. The Vyvyan Pennell variety should be only lightly pruned, meaning that in the first year after planting, clipped just above healthy buds, around 30 cm from the ground. In the second year, some 70 cm above the base and in later years it should be cut to a height of up to 1.5 m (the younger or weaker the plant, the more should be cut from the top). Pruning shrub branches that have finished flowering is recommended to encourage new blossom on the current year’s shoots.

Props: Thanks to its strong petioles, Vyvyan Pennell easily grows on all kinds of nets, poles, hung ropes, grates and trellises, fences, pergolas and arbours.

Overwintering: This clematis is frost resistant (in hardiness zone 4, withstanding -34°C). Protecting young seedlings for the winter is recommended, by piling a mound of soil or peat about 30 cm in height over the plant. This clematis is a deciduous shrub.

Origin: Great Britain.