Clematis Praecox 2L

General description:  Praecox was introduced to the market in the first half of the 20th century. It was created by crossing C. tubulosa and C. vitalba. In 1995, in England, this variety was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, which is given to the most valuable new garden plants. In 1997, the Chicago Botanic Garden gave it the highest rating, placing it among the few most valuable varieties.

Flowers: Praecox displays small flowers about 3-4 cm in diameter. It blooms profusely with flowers composed of 4 beige-purple petals.

Blooming: Praecox blooms from July until August.

Leaves: This clematis has dark green, compound leaves composed of leaflets with serrated margins.  

Cultivation requirements: This is a frost hardy variety. It grows in sunny, semi-shaded and even shaded locations. It doesn’t have special requirements and is suitable for growing in average or even poor soils. IT’s great for planting in urban areas, but it must be watered regularly.

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: Heavy pruning is to be carried out in early spring. Dead stems should be cut to just above ground level, and healthy ones to a height of around 5-10 cm above ground.  

Props: Praecox is a perennial and a primitive climber that doesn’t necessarily require support structures as it won’t cling to them, but it will rest against any available support.

Overwintering: This clematis is frost resistant (in hardiness zone 3, withstanding -40°C). Protecting young seedlings for the winter is advised, by piling a mound of soil or peat about 30 cm in height over the plant. This clematis is a deciduous shrub.

Origin: France.