'Rhapsody' Clematis

(Clematis) Clematis ‘Rhapsody’ has beautiful 4-5 inch deep blue blooms accented with yellow anthers. As the flowers age, the blue intensifies in color. ‘Rhapsody’ is an outstanding cultivar with broad, pointed petals and deep green foliage. It is hardy in zones 4-9. Standing 8 feet tall, ‘Rhapsody’ grows well on a trellis, fence or mingling up other shrubs. It adds vertical interest and beauty to your garden or landscape! This clematis is a free flowering clematis, blooming from July through September. ‘Rhapsody’ grows best in full sun locations, however, its roots like to be kept shaded so consider planting surrounding ground cover plants or companion perennials to shade the roots. ‘Rhapsody’ clematis is a great pollinator plant, as its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is a part of prune Group 3, which means it blooms on new season’s growth and it can be quite vigorous compared to other cultivars. Its main stems will need to be pruned in early spring (February or March) until they are only 3 feet above the ground. Also remove any dead or weak stems so it can thrive in the season ahead. Please note: flower color may vary due to the environment.