Clematis 'Alabast'
Family - Ranunculaceae
Category - Climber
Origin - Raised in Denmark
Discovered By - Raised by D. T. Poulsen, a clematis breeder
Year of Introduction - 1970
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H6
Height - 2m or more
Width - 1m
Location - The White Garden
Description: Early to Mid-season Large-flowered Clematis (Clematis Group 2)
A climber with slender, brittle stems. Mid-green ternate leaves have ovate to lanceolate leaflets. Large single saucer-shaped flowers open pale greenish-white and quickly turn to creamy white. Each Bloom has a central crown of pale yellow stamens. The flowers are held singly on twining stems and are produced in one strong flush in early summer, then again in late summer. The Blooms are attractive to pollinating insects.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
The correct botanical name is Clematis 'Poulala', 'Alabast' is a trademark, or preferred selling name.
Flower:
Large, single saucer-shaped flowers open greenish-white and quickly turn to creamy white. At the centre of each bloom is a crown of pale yellow stamens. The flowers are held singly on twining stems and are produced in one strong flush in June, then again in August. The flowers are produced on the previous season's growth.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Saucer-shaped flowers held singly
Flowering time: June, August
Foliage:
Mid-green leaves are ternate with ovate to lanceolate leaflets. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on brittle, twining stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Ternate with ovate to lanceolate leaflets
Propagation:
Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR). Unlicensed propagation is prohibited.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. The flowers are produced on the previous year's growth, and therefore, need to be pruned carefully.