I've never seen a true blue Clematis. They are all like Rozanne and Johnnson's Blue cranesbills, purple or lavender.

I have Betty Corning and she ain't true blue.

The pics on COTW of Clematis "Rhapsody" doesn't do it justice for it looks true blue to me in my gardens...Jeanne

Jeanne, all of the pics I have seen on other sites look very purple, but if yours is blue maybe it varies by planting location?

I was the one who asked you if H F Young was blue....

Deb, I'm going by what Harryshoe said in a post-- that Rhapsody was the bluest blue clem available. So I ordered one--but mine hasn't bloomed yet, so I can't verify that. Like you, I'm very skeptical when plants are described as blue--they usually look lavender or purple to me.

Kate

Here is a pic of mine so you can decide...Jeanne

Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis

I might have said Rhapsody is the bluest I've ever seen, but I haven't enough experience to even contemplate what may be available. My Rhapsody definitely shows some blue tones. However, its mostly purple. What type is Rhapsody?

{{gwi:227060}}

Jeanne, that looks purple on my monitor but I know every monitor is different.

They both look purple to me, Harry's has some true light blue tones to it though to me.

Oh well, harry, that pic is lovely and I don't regret being enabled by you into buying it for my garden. Can't wait to see it bloom.

Kate

Durandii looks blue to me but of course this pic was taken with my iPhone and not my regular camera.

{{gwi:584401}}

That looks very bluish on my monitor.

My Durandi is definitely not that bright blue; however, it is true the Durandi is bluish, just not a pure blue. It is also a scrambler rather than a climber.

Kate

I used to think HF Young was blue, because it was the first couple of years, but this year it has decided to go purple on me. Weird.

Cezanne is almost blue, maybe lavender I don't know. It is beautiful though.

Cezanne
{{gwi:570541}}

HF Young a couple of years ago
{{gwi:209396}}

And now
{{gwi:584403}}
{{gwi:584404}}

Different shade of blue-purple as they age, darker at first then paling to blue. Still nice though. Light plays an important role in the perception of color.

My Durandii is not that blue. However, I love all the blueish purples and lavenders even if they aren't true blue.

linrose, I had the same experience with HF Young. It appeared much bluer the first year I got it and planted it. After that, it took on more lavender shades, much like your 3rd picture of it.

Do you suppose it is kind of like those hydrangeas that need more or less acidity in order to attain a bluer coloring? Too bad there isn't something we could quickly add to get back the initial bluer shade of HF Young.

Kate

My Durandii is still in a pot, does that make a difference? Just curious...

I used to grow Sho-un at our other place. I always considered it to be blue.

Blue Light definitely looks blue in the first photo. But closer up I see the purple shadings. Neat looking clematis though.

I just bought a Crater Lake clematis from Sprig Hill that claims it to be blue. We'll see!

I would not trust any claims Spring Hill makes. One of the worst vendors around (along with affiliated with it Breck's and Michigan Bulbs). Their pictures are badly doctored; their descriptions are far from real.

How about Will Goodwin? In a lot of web pics it looks pretty lavender, but in my garden it's very close to powder blue (a bit like a plumbago). I also grow H.F. Young and Rhapsody and agree they're pretty close to a dark blue, but not without purplish undertones. Gary

Ah, I had forgotten that I once wanted Will Goodwin so I will check it out.

I took an old Clem book out of the library by Barry Fretwell (sp?) which said there are no true blue clems, all have some degree of lavender or mauve. But it said HF Young was the closest blue.

I have Blue Light but it hasn't bloomed yet. Certainly looks blue in those photos but photos and monitors are both deceiving. :)

Rhapsody is bluer than any others in my garden. My other "blues" are either lavender or purple by comparison.

My Will Goodwin looked very pale blue the first year it bloomed but the next year and since the blooms look pale lavender.

What about Rooguchi? Mine was planted new last year, got it from Silver Star Vinery. The bud is very dark blue, almost navy. Can't wait til it opens up!

Tanya

I have Rooguchi from Silver Star too. It is a fantastic plant, just amazing. But, it is very purple. No blue at all.