Piilu Climbing Clematis Plants

'Piilu' Clematis Plants

'Piilu' is a fantastic early large flowering variety providing stunning blowsy blooms from May right through to as late as October, in ideal conditions, which are on the cool side. 

The flowers themselves begin the season as big showy doubles, with frills of petals ranging from deep rose to palest pink as they reach the golden anthers at the centre. As the season goes on the flowers tend to become single.

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Great for your garden:

The best aspect for a Clematis on a wall is either west or north east, so they get a break from a full day of summer sun, or you could grow it through or behind other plants that cast dappled shade on it. This will encourage the best flower quality, and a longer season. The soil above the main root area must be in full shade.

Perfect for growing against a wall, 'Piilu' can also work really nicely growing through other climbing plants such as ivy or roses on a trellis or frame. It also looks really effective when left to ramble over shrubs and through trees.

Due to its size, this is a great clematis for smaller gardens, and is one of the best choices for containers on patios or balconies.

Features

• Flower colour: Deep rose to pale pink
• Flower shape: Large, double or single, open star, frilled overlapping petals
• Fragrance: Mild
• Repeating: Yes
• Approximate flowering season: May to October
• Type: Early large-flowered
• Habit: Patio Climber
• Pruning group 2

Look out for:

As with all clematis caterpillars, earwigs and aphids may be a problem. Remove by hand where possible, and spray if infestations get really bad.

May have some susceptibility to clematis wilt. Avoid through mulching and good deep root cultivation. Cut out infected stems and destroy immediately, disinfect tools.

Trivia:

This fantastic Clematis was raised by Uno Kivistic (1932-1998) on the family farm in Estonia in the mid 1980's. From around 1979 - 1976 along with his wife Aili, he raised 150 Clematis cultivars. He was specifically interested in those plants that were capable of withstanding their harsh winter temperatures, and their relatively short summers. With that in mind, it's no wonder 'Piilu' is such a strong performer in our comparatively balmy climate. 

Internet sources claim that Piilu means "little duckling" in Estonian, but we can't find proof of this in our extensive research (about fifteen minutes) of other internet sources. According to online dictionaries, piilu means "hide" or "peek", and their word for duckling is pardipoeg (or utenok in Russion). There is, however, a town called Piilu an hour's drive from Uno's farm. Whatever the case, the parents are Hagley Hybrid and Makhrovyi.
 
Images supplied by Clematis on the Web.

How to grow 'Piilu' Clematis: