When in bloom, C. 'Cleminov 29' SAPHIRA®DOUBLE ROSE is a bouquet of bright pink tones. More over, the blooms last for 3-4 months, from June through into September. Its star-like sepals are a clear medium pink with a bar or line of richer deeper pink through each. The center is described as reddish-purple or fuschia and the stamens are dark pinky-red also. This bold display of pinks is quite the show-stopper in the garden. In addition, the foliage is bright and plentiful and covers the vine from the ground up.
The flowers are medium sized, leaning towards large, and are single not double as their name implies. The sepal tips are pointed. Usually they are slightly twisted and graced with a slight ripple to the edges. I find that the sepal shape and number of them can be affected by vagaries of weather and stage of growth. Another name that vendors have given to it is C. 'Cleminov 29' SAPHIRA®DUO ROSE which relates to the two-toned pink shades.
C. 'Cleminov 29' SAPHIRA®DOUBLE ROSE was raised by V. Kapusta and obtained by INRA, a horticultural company in France. The parents are C. integrifolia 'Olgae' and the Group 2 C. 'The President'. Newer crosses such as this are often referred to as integrifolia or diversifolia due to one of the parents being an integrifolia. The term diversifolia is not officially accepted by the Society but several growers use it to designate the unique forms of clematis resulting from cross breeding with integrifolias.
The resource, Clematis on the Web puts it in Group 3 as a late large-flowered vine growing 1.0-1.5 meters (3'-5'). This shorter height is an asset, making the plant ideal for growing well in a container or in the ground. It's also easier to appreciate the amazing blooms and to take advantage of its very photogenic qualities.
Typical care is to prune low in late winter or early spring as suggested for late flowering clematis. Spring fertilization and adequate watering will keep it happy. Spent flowers can be removed which encourages repeat flowering. It likes sun but seems to grow well in half sun or dappled sun.
C. 'Cleminov 29' SAPHIRA®DOUBLE ROSE established easily for me when I planted one in the ground in 2018 in a sunny spot, with some afternoon shade. It has been a fast grower for me, dependable and without problems. Each year it has produced multiple stems and flowers continually from June through September.
It won a Bronze medal at INNOVERT®2010 (Angers – FRANCE)
Barbara Evans