Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles'

Found scrambling up the wall outside the Robert Marnock Garden (area K on downloadable map) is the most beautiful winter-flowering clematis with hundreds of flowers and buds ready to flower throughout the winter months.

Clematis cirrhosa originated from Southern Europe and Asia Minor, and was first discovered in Andalucia by the botanist Clusius in the latter half of the sixteenth century, and soon afterwards introduced to Britain. This particular form was bred by Raymond Evison, the eminent clematis grower, from seed collected in Mallorca by Allen Peterson, and named after Raymond's daughter whose nick-name was Freckles. It was introduced in 1989 and is now widely grown.

This clematis is evergreen, with drooping flowers, the inner reddish-purple spots merging together. The flowers are followed by beautifully silky seed heads. Its nodding habit attracts bees and insects. It has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, making it a very reliable plant.