Description
CLEMATIS ‘Rouge Cardinal’ is one of the most admired late large‑flowered clematis cultivars, celebrated for its glowing, velvety crimson blooms and reliable summer‑to‑autumn performance. Each flower reaches up to 15cm across, with rich red sepals that deepen as they mature and creamy‑white filaments tipped with red‑brown anthers. This dramatic colour contrast makes ‘Rouge Cardinal’ a standout choice for adding depth and intensity to vertical planting schemes.
‘Rouge Cardinal’ is know for flowering on new season’s growth. It thrives on fences, arches, pergolas, obelisks, and mature shrubs, where its velvety blooms can be appreciated at eye level. Its rich colour holds well in both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile across a range of garden settings.
Key Features:
Propagation method: Vegetative soft-wood cuttings.
Substrate: Jiffy peat-free propagation Mix.
Plug Size: 3.5cm.
Production system: Grown without artificial light or heating for hardened plants.
Flowers: Velvety crimson‑red with creamy‑white filaments and red‑brown anther.
Foliage: Mid‑green, deciduous, divided leaves with good summer coverage.
Flowering period: Early–mid summer to early autumn.
Height: Up-to 400cm at maturity.
Spread: Up-to 100cm at maturity.
Hardiness: Hardy in most UK regions.
Pollinator value: Highly attractive to bees and beneficial insects.
Sensory value: Ideal for SEND gardens and therapeutic planting schemes.
Ecological impact: Grown in peat-free substrate with no artificial inputs, pollinator and wildlife-friendly.
Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliability, ornamental value, and strong garden performance.
Planting & Care:
Prefers full sun or light shade & moist but well‑drained alkaline to neutral soils.
Mulch in autumn to protect roots in colder climates.
Prune to maintain shape and encourage bushiness as per RHS’s Group 3 pruning guide.
Ideal for containers, covering fences, pergolas, arches, and Pollinator/Wildlife-friendly planting schemes.
Commercial Notes:
CLEMATIS ‘Rouge Cardinal’ are supplied as strong, well-rooted, hardy plug plants ready for potting into pots up-to 2lt formats.
Ideal for nursery, and wholesale formats and performs well in peat-free and organic programs.
Suitable for wildlife-friendly, and sustainable product ranges.
