Clematis 'Piilu’

Clematis

Mauve-pink double blooms in late spring and a second flush of single flowers later make Clematis 'Piilu' a compact, free-flowering climber that is perfect for pots, trellis and small gardens.

Supplied as an established plant in a 3 litre pot

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Clematis &
Clematis &
Clematis &

Aspect

Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness

Fully hardy

Flowers

Summer

Soil

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

About this plant

Two waves of pink blooms, from top to bottom

  • Description

    Clematis 'Piilu' is a compact, early large-flowered clematis bearing showy mauve-pink blooms with a deeper pink bar down each wavy-edged sepal and creamy yellow anthers. The first flush, from late spring, is usually double or semi-double, with flowers up to 12cm across, followed later in the season by a second flush of smaller, single, paler blooms. Unusually, it flowers from top to bottom rather than just at the top, and its compact habit makes it one of the best clematis for a patio container, as well as fences, trellis and obelisks.

  • Why we like it

    'Piilu' is one of the most floriferous clematis you can grow, and one of the very best for containers. It smothers itself in wavy-edged pink blooms from late spring, doubles first and singles later, and unlike many clematis it flowers all the way down the plant, so there is no bare base. Compact, hardy and easy to please, it earns a place on the smallest patio or balcony as readily as a garden trellis

Key features

What makes it special

Long flowering, late spring into summer

Fully hardy — comes back every year

Specs & details

The particulars

Botanical name
Clematis 'Piilu’
Common name
Clematis
Supplied as
3 litre pot
Flower colour
Pink
Eventual height
1.5-2m
Eventual spread
0.5-1m
Flowering period
Summer
Habit
Compact, twining deciduous climber
Life cycle
Deciduous climber
Hardiness
Fully hardy
Aspect
Full sun to partial shade
Soil type
Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Moisture
Moist but well-drained
Position
Best in containers, against low walls, or small trellises
Plant spacing
Usually grown singly on a support or in a container. For covering a fence, plant around 1 to 1.2m apart.
Growing skill
Easy to grow

Plant calendar

When to plant, when it performs

 
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Planting
Flowering

Plant in spring or autumn. The first, mainly double flush opens from late spring on the previous year's growth, with a second flush of single flowers later in summer on new growth.

Planting & care

Help it thrive

Planting guide

Plant in spring or autumn into fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Plant deeply, with the crown 5 to 8cm below the surface, to encourage strong shoots from the base. Keep the roots cool and shaded with nearby planting, pebbles or a mulch, with the top growth in the light. In a container, choose a large pot with a loam-based compost and provide an obelisk or trellis for support.

Care tips

Water regularly, especially in containers and while establishing, keeping the soil moist but never waterlogged. Feed in late winter and again after the first flush of flowers. Prune lightly as a group 2 clematis: tidy to healthy buds in late winter, then trim back spent blooms after the first flush to encourage the second. Deadheading the first flowers helps the later display. Wear gloves when pruning, as the sap can irritate skin, and note that clematis are harmful if eaten.

Winter care

Fully hardy in the UK. Prune in late winter or early spring (Group 2) to just above healthy buds. Mulch around the base to protect roots and suppress weeds.