Late flowering clematis are so early this year

I love this moment when the roses are in bloom with the late flowering clematis. It normally happens here at Stevington in early July but in this extraordinary year, it is happening now and what a delight to see blousy pale pink Constance Spry vying for space with rich red Clematis Madame Julia Correvon. Meanwhile exquisite Clematis Blue Angel with its crinkly edges is juxtaposed with fantastically fragrant richly coloured Rose Mme Isaac Pereire. Elsewhere mysteriously dark almost black Clematis Romantika is blooming amongst bright pink Rose Gertrude Jekyll.

Our National Garden Scheme open evening next week on Thursday June 16th from 6-9pm promises to be a spectacle of roses and clematis.

Add a glass of Pimms or wine, a host of Abba and Beatles songs sung by the Eagle Choir and the evening will be a real treat.