Clematis ‘Ithemba’

An even more beautiful story backs up this beautiful new clematis cultivar. 

The clematis is known to be a spectacular ornamental climber that is very versatile – it can be used indoors or trained over trellises or fences, or it can even be left to sprawl as a groundcover. It also comes with a diverse range of enchanting flowers in different sizes, shapes and colours. 

Some of the most enchanting and most spectacular clematis cultivars have been created by Raymond J Evison CBE, one of the world’s leading clematis breeders, based in Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Evison has spent over 60 years working with clematis, developing more than 200 cultivars known for their compact growth, long flowering season and prolific blooms. He has been awarded 35 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals and has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), in recognition of his achievements and services to the horticultural industry. New for 2026 from Raymond Evison Clematis and its Guernsey. 

Clematis Nursery is Clematis ‘Ithemba’ ™ EviGsy157(PBR). I know what you’re thinking – funny name for a cultivar from Guernsey, and you’re right. But there’s a lovely story behind this. Raymond Evison Clematis has developed a ‘Hope’ series of plants that aims to raise awareness of work done by selected charities around the world, and ‘Ithemba’ is the third in the series. ‘Ithemba’ means ‘hope’ in Zulu, and it was given the name by the Trust it is dedicated to. Raymond visited the Children’s Hospital Trust in Cape Town in January 2020, and it was then that he was inspired by the incredible work they do, providing world-class pediatric care to children from all over South Africa, regardless of their financial status.  

To celebrate the Trust and its noble mission, he decided to release a clematis cultivar, and so ‘Ithemba’ was born. Clematis ‘Ithemba’ is a real showstopper. Its bright white blooms are brushed with a delicate pink bar and finished with ruffled sepal edges, while the striking red filaments and anthers make the white petals seem to glow even more. The 8-10 cm flowers arrive in abundance from late spring to early summer, returning again in late summer for a second flush. What makes ‘Ithemba’ especially eye-catching is the way it flowers all the way down its stems, giving a full display from top to bottom.  

This compact, bushy plant grows to 90-120 cm high and is wonderfully easy to prune. Just cut it back to 15 cm in late winter or spring, and it will reward you with another year of breathtaking blooms. Perfect for growing in a container, at the front or middle of a border, trained onto a framework, or weaving through other plants, it’s a versatile addition to any garden. The plant will be released in South Africa before anywhere else in the world, which is a fantastic nod to its naming origins. Raymond Evison Clematis will be working with Plantipp BV to manage the plant protection and with Samgro Wholesale Nursery, their main South African customer, to bring the plant to market locally. 

Growth tips

Location: Partially shaded position with cool shaded roots, ideal for a south-facing location. 

Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. 

Water: Keep evenly moist, especially during active growth and flowering. Watering every 2-3 days is recommended. Don’t let the soil dry out. 

Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring and a liquid feed every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. 

Flower colour: Bright white with a delicate pink central bar, red filaments and red anthers. 

Features: Compact, bushy habit; flowers profusely down the stems; long flowering season with two flushes per year. 

Aspect: Sheltered from strong winds. 

Soil (pH): Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. 

Climate: Fully winter hardy.

Uses: Containers, front to mid-border planting, trained on small trellises or frames, or grown through companion plants.

Size: 90-120 cm.