Clematis ‘Utopia’

A Japanese hybrid of Clematis florida and an unknown large-flowered cultivar. Its intriguing flowers are 15-16 cm across, pink, the upper side pale at the base of the tepals, the shade getting gradually deeper towards the edges, the lower side pink-violet. 6 oval-shaped, pointed tepals have a silky sheen and provide a pretty contrast for violet anthers on rose-white filaments. Flowers appear late June-July and again September-October. It attains a height 2-2.5m and climbs by means of leaf petioles. It grows well on a shaded abut well-lit position. The cultivar resembles Clematis florida but is more sturdy and less demanding than the species. Useful for growing over trellises, stakes and other gardens supports, but can also climb up natural supports.