Italian Clematis Fay 1L

General description: In the international register, Fay is classified as the Clematis viticella species but in appearance it is very similar to the swamp leather flower (Clematis crispa). This variety was created by Willem Straver.

Flowers: Fay has small flowers, about 2-3 cm in diameter. They are bell-shaped, nodding, and are composed of 4 pale pink petals that have strongly outwardly curling tips. The petals are delicately ribbed on the outside and are a creamy-pink colour on the inside with visible pink veins. This variety’s stamens consist of yellow anthers on white filaments.

Blooming: Fay blooms on the current year's shoots from June until October.

Leaves: This clematis has dark green leaves that consist of 3-5 elliptical or oval leaflets. Young shoots are light green and mature stems are brown.

Cultivation requirements: Fay prefers a sunny location and grows best when lots of daylight is available. Spots near walls with an eastern, western, or southern exposure are ideal. For optimal growth, it needs moist soil rich in humus, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. The substrate must be permeable (heavy, compacted clays are not suitable but sandy soils are also not advised).

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 vine looks denser in later years. Fay requires strong pruning in spring by cutting to a height of around 20-50 cm above ground.

Props: This clematis easily creeps up all kinds of nets, poles, hung ropes, trellises, fences, pergolas and arbours. The elements of support should not exceed 1 cm in diameter. Thanks to its petioles, it can also climb up natural supports, such as deciduous and coniferous bushes and dwarf shrubs.

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 vine.

Origin: Germany.