White double flowers with deep purple centre. Introduced to the UK in 1836 and given the RHS Award of Merit in 1914.

William Robinson's 1912 book, 'The Virgin's Bower' writes "it's first introduction was in 1829... to the Botanic Garden at Ghent; but until 1836-38 it was not much known in French gardens. I have only seen this kind grown well in Miss Willmott's [of other horticultural fame] garden at Warley, who writes:- "I believe my plant is the only one in cultivation in England. I counted 500 flowers and seemed only to have made some way in reckoning up the total." " Magnus Johnson's research confirms that von Siebold introduced the form to the Botanical Garden in Ghent in 1829, noting that "on the same occasion [he] also brought C patens from Japan."

Approximate height: 1.5 - 3.0 metres
Flowering period(s): Jun Jul Aug Sep
Aspect: Sunny
Pruning: Hard prune (Group 3)
Country of origin: Japan
Other name(s): florida 'Sieboldii' ('Bicolor'); florida var 'Sieboldii'; C. Sieboldi(i); bicolor; florida bicolor; florida var bicolor; CHOIR BOY; florida 'Seiboldii'; 'Bicolor'; 'Bicolor Sieboldii'; etc.

Further detail:

Flower diameter: 7-10cm
Guard tepals: 5-6; c4cm wide, overlapping, pointed

Click here for the text of an IClS article about this clematis