Clematis ‘Bill MacKenzie’ (Tangutica Group)

Regarded as the best tangutica cultivar, award-winning Clematis ‘Bill MacKenzie’ is a large, vigorous deciduous climber with masses of small, nodding, lantern-shaped flowers, 2-3 in. across (6-7 cm). Each bloom boasts four slightly glossy, bright yellow tepals, which gradually open out wide, revealing a contrasting boss of dark stamens. They are followed by very ornamental, silky seedheads, which gleam in the sun and remain on the plant. They combine with the next wave of blooms, giving the plant an interesting fluffy look. Blooming from midsummer to fall, this small-flowered clematis makes a very effective screen and is ideal for covering tall fences, arbors, or unsightly buildings. Lovely when sprawling through large shrubs.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
• Thrives in moist, well-drained soils, in full sun or part shade. Ideally, Clematis prefer having their ‘heads in the sun and their feet in the shade’. Keep the roots cool and shaded by other plants or add a layer of pebbles or flat stones at the base.
• Hardy, this clematis can quickly grow up to 6-8 ft. long (180-240 cm).
• This Clematis belongs to the third group of Clematis – a group including Clematis which flower in late summer on growth made in that season. They should be pruned in late winter or early spring and require ‘hard pruning’: simply cut back the stems to a pair of strong buds about 1ft. (30 cm) above ground level before growth begins in early spring.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

As climbers, Clematis are unsurpassed in their long flowering presence, their rich diversity of flower shapes, and their wide array of colors and tolerances in terms of exposure and climate. It is no wonder they are so popular! From tree huggers to container varieties, there is a Clematis for every garden and flowers for almost every month of the year! Members of the Ranunculaceae family, they include more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids. They create year after year a ravishing colorful show in the garden whether solely trained on walls, arbors, or trellises, or grown in association with other climbers. They are divided into 3 groups which determine how they should be pruned. Regular pruning of Clematis is important as it promotes strong growth and flowering as well as a harmonious plant. If left unpruned, Clematis can turn into a mass of tangled stems with a bare base and flowers well above eye level.