Clematis viticella 'Purpurea Plena Elegans'

Referred to as P.P.E. for short, Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' is one of the oldest Clematis cultivars and a winner, of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is large, and durable, grows quickly, and blooms profusely all summer long. It was bred in the 19th century by renowned French Clematis breeder Francis Morel. Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' is a climber with masses of distinctive, double, dusty rose purple flowers that resemble miniature chrysanthemums with their many layers of recurved and twisted sepals. Slow to open, the sumptuous small blooms last about 2 weeks before their outer sepals fall away. The resulting pompon center can remain for weeks. Blooms on both old and new growth. Pruning Group: 3. (Small-flowered Clematis generally do not need to be pruned regularly.)

Pruning Groups:
Group 1 – Flowers only on old wood (previous year). Prune after spring flowering.
Group 2 – Flowers on both old and new wood. Little pruning should be done for woody-stemmed members of this Group. If cut to the ground or pruned in fall or spring, flowering will be reduced or delayed, but not prevented.
Group 3 – Flowers only on new wood. Can be cut to the ground in fall or spring.