Clematis ‘Piilu’

48-60″ tall (4-6 feet) x 36-48″ wide. You don’t have to choose doubles over singles when you choose ‘Piilu’ clematis. This Estonian cultivar will bloom with ruffled purple blossoms on old wood in early summer. Then in early fall it will bloom again on new wood in single pink flowers with a deep central bar. Although it is extremely well-behaved at 4-6 feet, it’s known as one of the most floriferous of clematis cultivars and is therefore great for patios and decks. ‘Piilu’ blossoms will fade if exposed to too much sun, so find it a part-shade site where blooms will last longer. Rich, moist soil and a good dose of morning sun will give it all it needs to grace your garden with gorgeous blooms – and then do it all over again!

Group 2 Pruning:

Prune in late winter or early spring (February) as follows:

• Remove dead or weak stems before growth begins. Check individual stems from the top down until you reach a pair of healthy buds, and prune just above them, removing the spindly or damaged growth above
• Avoid heavy pruning or flowers will be lost

Then prune again after the first flush of flowers:

• To encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season prune back some stems by cutting to large buds or a strong side shoot immediately below the blooms
• Top-heavy or overgrown plants can be gradually reduced over two to three seasons by pruning back harder after the first flush of flowers. They are unlikely to produce a second flush of flowers, but should flower again the following year, in late spring or early summer