Clematis - Mrs Norman Thompson

About 'Mrs Norman Thompson' Clematis:

Mrs Norman Thompson is a compact, hard-working Clematis producing blooms over a wonderfully long period from May to July and a welcome second flush in September. The large flowers are a stunning deep rich purple with intense carmine bars. They open fully to reveal attractive wine-red and cream anthers. If you'd like to add further to your Clematis collection you can browse our full range of Clematis plants.

Great for your garden:

'Mrs N Thompson' is a really diverse climber, being happy facing any aspect, although for the best colours it will be happiest planted in a partially shaded spot. Being nice and compact it's a perfect Clematis for small gardens, and looks wonderful in a container on a patio - why not try training it over a decorative obelisk for year round structure? It can also work wonderfully trained on wires along a balcony. 

If you prefer your Clematis in the border you can use a host shrub as a frame for 'Mrs N.Thompson' to scramble over. She will also work brilliantly climbing up through other more vigorous plants on a trellis or pergola, such as climbing roses. She is such a strong performer in the garden that the RHS awarded the plant he Award of Garden Merit.

'Mrs N Thompson' Clematis characteristics.

• Flower colour: Deep purple with carmine bar
• Flower shape: Large, open star, overlapping pointed petals
• Fragrance: Mild
• Repeating: Yes
• Approximate flowering season: May - July, September
• Final height and spread: 3m x 1m
• Pruning Group 2
• RHS Award of Garden Merit

Look out for:

'Mrs N Thompson' is tough, hardy Clematis. However, they may be affected by caterpillars, earwigs and aphids. Hand pick where possible, and spray if infestations get too bad.

May be susceptible to Clematis wilt. Avoid through good root health - annual mulching for deep root cultivation. Cut out any infected material and destroy immediately, disinfect tools.

Slime flux may occasionally be a problem. Damaged stems can be infected by the bacteria, causing a smelly excretion to ooze from the affected area. Affected stems should be cut back to a healthy shoot, the infected material destroyed.

Trivia:

Mrs N Thompson was raised in the mid 1950's by Walter Pennell, of Pennells Garden Centre, who were one of the leading names in Clematis breeding at the time. Mrs N.Thompson was named after the wife of Pennells nursery office manager.