A collaboration between horticultural experts in Beijing and the United Kingdom has produced a groundbreaking collection of scented clematis flowers, highlighting the growing success of international cooperation in plant breeding.
The newly launched Oriental fragrance collection features three large-flowered clematis varieties developed through a partnership between Beijing Florascape Co and British breeder Raymond Evison’s Guernsey-based team. The flowers are believed to be the world’s first commercially grown large-flowered scented clematis varieties.
Evison, a leading figure in clematis breeding with more than six decades of experience, joined forces with Chinese horticulturalists in 2020. The project combines China’s rich native plant resources with British breeding expertise to create flowers with stronger fragrance, longer blooming periods and greater resistance to extreme weather conditions.
Researchers said the process of developing a new clematis variety normally takes up to 10 years. However, the partnership achieved commercial results in only a few years, demonstrating the efficiency of the joint programme.
China is home to around half of the world’s clematis species, making it an important centre for future breeding research. Evison also expressed hopes of showcasing Chinese plants at a future Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Read more at China Daily.
