Clematis of the month for March, 2010

Clematis 'Barbara Dibley'

Clematis ‘Barbara Dibley’ might not be the strongest cultivar available, but what it lacks in vigor it makes up for in sheer bi-color beauty. In my opinion, few other clematis can stand up to its breathtaking coloring. So, when you add it to a brightly shaded area in your garden it really “pops”!

Depending on the time of year the flower's tepals may be colored a strong rosy-pink with a distinct central bar of carmine. The first blooms of the season can be chartreuse with a tinge of carmine. This is because it is usually one of the earliest to bloom. Other times it can be an almost solid raspberry-pink. Occasionally C. ‘Barbara Dibley’ can have more than one colored flower on its plant at a time. So, this clematis is full of surprises when it comes to its coloring. It produces a large flower which is 6” to 8” in diameter and has six to eight rippled, undulating tepals. Its stamens are a reddish-brown color.

C. ‘Barbara Dibley’ is a very compact clematis possibly growing to a height of 6 feet. Because of this diminutive stature it makes for an excellent container selection. You may prune it either lightly or optionally. To prevent the flowers from fading select a bright-shaded site in your garden to grow this beauty, especially in extremely hot areas of the country.

This British clematis was raised by Mr. G. Rowland Jackman and was introduced in 1949. Its parentage is unknown. Clematis ‘Barbara Dibley’ is the namesake of Mr. Jackman’s secretary.

From Our Clematis Database