Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Clematis 'The President' is a climber with a true sense of authority, commanding attention with its striking violet-purple blooms. Each single, cupped flower reaches up to 18cm across, featuring eight overlapping sepals with a rich, velvety texture and a silvery reverse that catches the light beautifully. At the centre, a dramatic contrast of pinkish and deep red stamens adds an extra flourish, making Clematis 'The President' a standout choice for any garden setting. Blooming reliably from late spring to early autumn, this variety is a long-standing favourite, perfect for covering trellises, fences, and pergolas with regal elegance.
Hardy and easy to grow, Clematis 'The President' thrives in sun or partial shade, rewarding gardeners with a generous display of flowers throughout the season. Its compact nature also makes it a fantastic choice for container growing, bringing vertical interest to patios and balconies. A light prune after flowering encourages repeat blooms, ensuring Clematis 'The President' maintains its dignified presence for months on end. Whether gracing a garden archway or adding a touch of nobility to a brick wall, Clematis 'The President' is a reliable and striking addition that lives up to its name with style and grace. It proudly holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit—a recognition for its reliability, beauty, and outstanding performance.
Clematis 'The President' is supplied as a pip with a well-developed root system, ready to thrive in your garden. You can see an example of a pip in the last image.
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Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Clematis 'The President' (EL)
- Flower colour
- Purple, lavender, violet
- Established height
- 1-3m
- Established spread
- 50-70cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Climbing
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 3 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Damp
Free draining - Soil type
-
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Dappled shade
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Clematis 'The President' reviews
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Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.