Enjoy the lovely combination of the cherry pink rose ‘Zephirine Drouhin and the sky blue clematis ‘Perle d’Azur over a long bloom time in summer. The rose begins to bloom in late spring and continues into fall, joined in mid-summer by the clematis. This combo is especially pretty growing against a wall but make sure you can walk by it often to enjoy the strong sweet fragrance of the rose. Grow them in full sun but plant the clematis so that the roots are in the shade and mulch well to keep the roots cool and the soil moist. Fertilize several times during the growing season to keep the flowers coming.
Rose ‘Zephirine Drouhin’
This Bourbon rose dates back to 1868, France and is the first and last rose to bloom in the garden. Its loosely double flowers are four inches across and very freely borne in small cluster of three to five. White streaks run through the cherry petals from the white center around the stamens. The semi-glossy leaves emerge with a bronze-purple tint and turn light green. The canes are prickle free and have a purplish color that is attractive in winter.
Bloom Time: Continuous from late spring to frost
Size: 10-15’H x 6-8’ W
Hardiness: Zones 5-10
Clematis ‘Perle d’Azur’
This larged flowered late-blooming clematis has been popular for over one hundred years. It is free flowering and produces sky bloom flowers with light green stamens and a tinge of mauve. The petals are slightly reflexed and have deeply grooved midribs. ‘Perle d’Azur’ belongs to group 3 clematis and should be pruned back to six to eight inches in late winter or early spring.
Bloom Time: Mid Summer to September
Size: 10-15’ H and spreading
Hardiness: Zones 4-9.
