Clematis plant named ‘Festival’

A new variety of clematis plant named ‘Festival’. The variety is characterized by it's dwarf growing habit and prolific very symmetrical bicolor blooms. The compact habit, high bud count, compact dark green foliage make this an excellent clematis for containers and small spaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hybridclematisplant known by the cultivar name ‘Festival’.

The new variety was a chance seedling that was picked out of a group of seedlings growing in a controlled planting at my nursery, in Walworth N.Y. in 2003. This variety was picked out because of it's compact growth habit, prolific and symmetrical blooms. This variety was asexually propagated by soft wood cuttings in greenhouses in Walworth N.Y., and observed over the next six years. Asexual propagation by vegetative cuttings has shown that the propagules are identical to the original plant and all distinguished characteristics. The stability of the variety is evidenced by the distinguished characteristics remaining true to form from generation to generation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from other present available and known commercialclematiscultivars is it works well in a container due to it's compact growth and prolific blooming habits. The unique color, uniform size, and the abundance of blooms make this cultivar unique.

RELEVANT PRIOR ART

This new variety is similar toClematissp. ‘Mrs. N. Thompson’, a non patentClematisvariety.Clematissp. ‘Festival’ has more overlapping tepals also the center stamens are more appealing and the growth habit is stronger.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION