Clematis ‘Boulivard Bernadine’

Clematis ‘Boulevard Bernadine’ is a real showstopper, celebrated for its exceptional floriferous nature and compact habit. This delightful clematis graces us with masses of large, star-shaped flowers that are initially a subtle blend of lavender-blue, pink, and cream, maturing to a soft, silvery-blue, beautifully accented by a boss of burgundy-flushed stamens. We’ve found it to be incredibly easy to grow and a fantastic choice for gardeners looking for prolonged colour, blooming abundantly from late spring right through to early autumn. It was even featured at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, a testament to its garden-worthy qualities.

For optimal performance, ‘Bernadine’ thrives in a position with full sun to partial shade, ideally where its roots can remain cool and shaded – a good layer of mulch or some low-growing plants around the base works wonders. It prefers moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained soil, though it’s not overly fussy about soil type or pH. This fully hardy deciduous vine will happily grow in most parts of the UK.

Being a compact variety, ‘Bernadine’ is wonderfully versatile. We love it climbing up a small trellis or obelisk in a border, or spilling elegantly from a patio pot or container. Pruning is straightforward: simply reduce all stems down to about 15-20cm (6-8 inches) in late winter or early spring as new buds begin to show. This encourages vigorous new growth and a profusion of flowers throughout the season. Its long flowering period makes it an excellent choice for attracting pollinators like butterflies to your garden.