Red? Scarlet? Vermilion? Crimson?Burgundy? Mmm...Red!

I'd set off to Reighton Nurseries for a red group 3 clematis Ernest Markham, unfortunately they didn't have one in...so I simply had to buy 3 other red group 3 clematis to determine which I would prefer instead (fellow gardeners iykyk lol ).

A few weeks in, l've decided I prefer the depth of colour & trueness of the velvety, pillar-box red blooms & dark purple anthers of Clematis Boulevard 'Nubia' Evipo079.

I prefer how prolifically Clematis 'Issey' Evipo081 flowers, (it was one of the new varieties released at RHS Chelsea 2022). It has an intense colour that starts a brighter red tone but fades to more dull cerise tones, this is probably due to the fact that like many "red" clematis, it has an element of blue pigment & may appear slightly purple in colour under certain conditions.

I prefer the height Clematis viticella 'Madame Julia Correvon" reaches and the simplicity of the flowers with the spacing between each petal, it seems to emphasise that each petal deserves its own space on the performance stage to emit perfection & beauty.

The 2 more compact clematis are part of the Boulevard Series of Clematis developed by Raymond Evison which is what the Evipo number refers to, they are particularly suitable for smaller gardens & containers, & are known for their prolific flowering.

All 3 are in the same bed with the same conditions & same obelisk, so I am able to continue to compare them over a couple of years. I'm happy that all 3 are red enough for a red border. I have got a fourth obelisk so I'll continue looking for Ernest Markham. I only ever buy group 3 clematis now, so I can prune them all at the same time, it makes life much easier.

Ultimately due to the red, for me, the winner has to be Clematis Boulevard 'Nubia' Evipo079. Which do you prefer? Let me know @justmeinmygarden

Clematis 'Issey' Evipo081

Intensely coloured, bright red blooms with a yellow centre and flowers prolificatly from old and new wood. A compact, free-flowering climber Max Height 1.2m. Max Spread 0.6m. Flowers May to September, Full sun. Hardy. Pruning group 3 in February.

Clematis Boulevard 'Nubia' Evipo079

Glowing velvety, pillar-box red blooms and dark purple anthers. Easy to care for, bushy long blooms compact habit. 1.2m x 0.6m. Flowers throughout summer. Full sun/partial shade. Hardy. Pruning group 3 in February.

Clematis viticella 'Madame Julia Correvon' A late large flowered climber with open bell shaped, single bright wine red flowers and yellow anthers.

Max Height 3m. Max Spread 1.5m. Flowers July to October. Full sun. Hardy. Pruning group 3 in February.