Clematis 'RUUTEL'

Ruutel, or to be exact Rüütel is an Estonian clematis introduction from 1982, bred by the Kivistik family nursery Roogoja from Harjumaa, Estonia. The name means 'knight' and I believe that the breeder rightly estimated this variety to become the knight of purple red varieties. It produces large, 12-20 cm across flowers of the deepest purple red colour with the typical velvety sheen. They come out from June or July until late August, possibly September.

It belongs to Group 2 clematis: in early spring remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins, trimming all remaining stems to where strong buds are visible. These buds provide a framework of second-year shoots that flower in late spring and early summer. If the plant seems reluctant to produce flowers continuously after the first flowering prune it by about a third or even half its size. It will re-emerge and flower again and quite reliably from August until October.

Clematis likes deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil that remains cool. You can grow a plant below clematis that will provide shade for its roots. Add garden compost in late winter and mulch it well. Fully hardy to min. -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 12-06-2019