Clematis The First Lady

The First Lady clematis flower

This elegant variety of Clematis has very large, star-shaped, silvery mid-blue flowers with pretty pink and red centres during May, June, then again in September.

Clematis 'The First Lady' can produce flowers as large as 20cm across.

Clematis 'The First Lady' was raised by Arther H. Steffen of Fairport, New York, USA.

How to grow

This non-evergreen climber can grow up a trellis, along a garden fence or wall, or trained up through a large shrub or tree, it is also suitable for planting in a container on the patio.

The First Lady characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skill: Beginner
  • Flowering duration: Long
  • Height after 10 years: 1.5m-2.5m / 5ft-8ft
  • Growth habit: Climbing
  • Spread after 10 years: 1m-2m / 3ft-7ft

Climate

  • Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)
  • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 6 (-23C)

Identification

  • Country of origin: United States
  • Flower colour: Blue
  • Flowering month: May June September
  • Flower form: Single flower (5-8 petals)
  • Leaf colour: Green
  • Leaf colour - young: Green
  • Leaf colour - autumn: Yellow
  • Annual cycle: Deciduous