Their rich hues blend harmoniously, a sophisticated shape and delicately winding stems inspire charming compositions. In order to prolong the life of cut clematis, you should prepare them carefully. Select thick, woody stems with new blossoms (ideally if blooms are opened in around 70%). All leaves, or at least most of them should be removed from stems to reduce transpiration. Immerse whole shoots, together with flowers, in cold water (e.g. by putting them in a large bowl or a pot) for 10-12 hours, and subsequently put them to the vase.
Depending on a variety and outer conditions flowers should last for 3-14 days. Best suited varieties for cutting include:
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white:
Clematis 'Duchess of Edinburgh',
Clematis 'Guearnsey Cream',
Clematis 'Isago',
Clematis 'Toki'
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blue:
Clematis 'Generał Sikorski',
Clematis 'Lasurstern',
Clematis 'Mrs. Cholmondeley',
Clematis 'Vyvyan Pennnell'
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deep blue and purple:
Clematis 'Daniel Deronda',
Clematis 'Julka',
Clematis 'Kacper',
Clematis 'Monte Cassino',
Clematis 'Multi Blue',
Clematis 'The President',
Clematis 'Viola',
Clematis 'Warszawska Nike'
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pink:
Clematis 'Andromeda',
Clematis 'Barbara',
Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud',
Clematis 'Dr Ruppel',
Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid',
Clematis 'Hania',
Clematis 'Nelly Moser',
Clematis 'Piilu',
Clematis 'Proteus'
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red:
Clematis 'Kardynał Wyszyński',
Clematis 'Niobe',
Clematis 'Solidarność',
Clematis 'Ville de Lyon',
Clematis 'Westerplatte'
Other varieties, as well as botanic and herbaceous perennial clematis are also suitable for cut flowers.
Besides flowers, clematis produce attractive silky seedheads which form ideal components of dried arrangements, and are perfect for cutting and drying out. The following varieties are among those with the most decorative seedheads:
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large-flowered:
Clematis 'Asao',
Clematis 'Kacper',
Clematis 'Lasurstern',
Clematis 'Mrs Cholmondeley',
Clematis 'Nelly Moser',
Clematis 'The President',
Clematis 'Vyvyan Pennell'
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botanical:
Clematis Atragene group 'Frances Rivis',
Clematis Atragene group 'Markham's Pink',
Clematis Atragene group 'Pamela Jackman',
Clematis Atragene group 'Pink Flamingo',
Clematis Atragene group 'White Swan',
Clematis Atragene group 'Willy',
Clematis Tangutica group 'Kaśka',
Clematis Tangutica group 'Lambton Park'
Clematis Viorna group 'Crispa Angel'