Clematis 'Radiance' was raised by the renowned British clematis hybridizer and author, Barry Fretwell. A summer bloomer, C. 'Radiance' produces a multitude of charming pale mauve trumpet-shaped three-inch flowers that are fragrant and that dangle from long peduncles.
At first the blooms are long narrow trumpets, but as time goes by, the four sepals spread and curl back at the tips providing glimpses of their dark blue-violet undersides. Finally, the sepals curl all the way back showing off the stunning blue-violet tips inside as well as the central part of the interior, which is very pale mauve, almost white. Blue and white stamens further enhance the color scheme.
A Progression of Blooms
The plant is said to grow 8 – 10ft tall, though mine seems to grow even taller. It prefers sun and, like most clematis, regular water. The leaves are pinate and dark green. Flower buds turn downward. Sadly, I don't have photos of seedheads.
C. 'Radiance' is an exuberant bloomer in my Seattle garden, starting the show in mid-July and carrying on for many weeks. Because in my garden it grows across the way from C. 'Betty Corning', I can't help but notice their similarities though they were actually born on different continents. They share the mauve color of the outer sepals, the long peduncles, both have a delightful fragrance, and both open up to a wide bell shape. Many clematarians suspect that C. 'Radiance' has texensis blood, but sadly Mr. Fretwell did not enlighten us as to its parentage. The parentage of C. 'Betty Corning' is also unknown, having been discovered growing in a garden in Albany, New York. Some speculate that it has crispa in its makeup.
Very well-named, C. Radiance dazzles me every year in my Seattle garden with hundreds blooms for weeks on end!
For comparison, similar C. 'Betty Corning' blooms, young trumpet shape and fully open
Clematis 'Radiance' was raised by the renowned British clematis hybridizer and author, Barry Fretwell. A summer bloomer, C. 'Radiance' produces a multitude of charming pale mauve trumpet-shaped three-inch flowers that are fragrant and that dangle from long peduncles.
At first the blooms are long narrow trumpets, but as time goes by, the four sepals spread and curl back at the tips providing glimpses of their dark blue-violet undersides. Finally, the sepals curl all the way back showing off the stunning blue-violet tips inside as well as the central part of the interior, which is very pale mauve, almost white. Blue and white stamens further enhance the color scheme.
Laura Watson