Create an image reminiscent of an English garden with this large flowered Clematis and floribunda rose. ‘Niobe’s’ 4” wide blossoms open a very dark shade of red and slowly develop a rich ruby red color that makes the long golden stamens sparkle. At the same time, the flowers of ‘Gruss an Aachen’ open from orange buds into rose pink blossoms with apricot pink on the back side of the petals. The satiny texture of the rose petals and the velvety texture of the clematis petals create an illusion of sheer luxury. The clematis can be grown over the rose in the English manner, or on a wall or pillar near the rose. Both plants flowers several times during the growing season and grow well in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Clematis ‘Niobe’
Large flowered clematis is one of the most beautiful flowering perennial vines and ‘Niobe’ is especially valued for its profusion of spectacular flowers over a long bloom time. The petals are especially spectacular when back-lit when the ruby color comes alive. The seed capsules that form after the flowers fade are unique and add a special touch to the garden. Like other clematis, ‘Niobe’ likes cool feet and should be grown with its roots shaded by a shallow rooted perennial like a rose or annuals. It likes an application of lime once a year and prefers some shade, more so than the rose Gruss an Aachen.
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Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Size: 8-12’ H x 4-6’ W
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Rose ‘Gruss an Aachen’
The flowers of ‘Gruss an Aachen’ are three inches across and offer a light sweet fragrance as well as a gradual change of color from salmon through pink to white. The petals often form a rosette sometimes with a button eye. A compact bush even when grown in some shade, it bears small dark healthy leaves and scant thorns. Flower colors vary with the temperature with the best color developing in cool weather.
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Bloom Time: Flushes from spring until fall
Size: 1-2’ H x 2-3” W
Hardiness: Zones 6-9 (4 and 5 with protection)
Karen