Meet Clematis Ithemba– a bloom of beauty, meaning, and giving.
This Summer, there’s a new reason to celebrate growth, giving, and the magic of South African gardens. Introducing Clematis Ithemba, a radiant climbing plant whose name Ithemba – meaning hope in isiZulu – captures the true spirit of the festive season.
Born from world-class horticultural innovation at the Guernsey Clematis Nursery in the UK, this striking variety carries a uniquely South African story at its heart. Named by the Children’s Hospital Trust in Cape Town, Clematis Ithemba is part of the nursery’s inspirational Hope Series of plants – following Clematis Tumaini (Swahili for hope) and Clematis Elpis (Greek for hope) – created to raise awareness and support for selected charities worldwide.
In South Africa that cause is particularly close to home: The Children’s Hospital Trust supports the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, the first and largest specialist paediatric hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. Since its founding, the trust has raised more than R1 billion to improve child healthcare, training and infrastructure – ensuring that children across Africa can access world-class medical care, regardless of financial means.
As the third bloom in this global Hope Series, Clematis Ithemba stands as a living symbol of healing and resilience – a fitting message for this time of year.
Summer splendour with a story
For Durban gardeners, Clematis Ithemba offers not only beauty but purpose. Its delicate white petals with a soft pink bar and red-tipped filaments shine against glossy green leaves, creating a joyful burst of colour from late Spring through early Summer, and again in late Summer.
Compact and bushy – reaching around 90 to 120cm high – it’s perfect for small spaces, balconies or to trail over a garden arch or trellis.
Imagine a festive garden corner dressed in soft pink blooms, fairy lights twinkling between the tendrils – a living decoration that carries through the New Year long after the baubles are packed away.
And, fittingly for its name, planting Ithemba is about more than aesthetics – it’s about rooting hope in your own soil, while supporting a cause that gives hope to children across Africa.
Gifting hope, growing hope
The Guernsey Clematis Nursery, under the leadership of world-renowned horticulturist Raymond Evison CBE, has been a pioneer in sustainable plant breeding for over four decades. From humble beginnings in an old Guernsey tomato vinery to earning 35 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III, the nursery remains committed to excellence and social responsibility.
By naming this new variety Ithemba, Evison honours South Africa’s spirit of hope and community. Each plant sold helps raise awareness for the Children’s Hospital Trust, whose tireless work continues to transform children’s lives across the continent.
So this festive season, whether you’re gifting a plant, decorating your garden, or starting your own ‘hope corner’ on the patio – let Clematis Ithemba’ remind you that growth, like hope, begins with planting a seed.
How to grow Clematis Ithemba
While clematis are often associated with cooler climates, with a few simple tricks they thrive beautifully in our subtropical conditions. Here’s how to help Ithemba flourish in your garden:
Sunlight: Clematis love the sun – aim for at least four to six hours of sunlight daily. In Durban’s warmer climate, morning sun and afternoon shade work best.
Soil: Plant in rich, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Incorporate compost and bone meal before planting, and mulch thickly to keep roots cool – as the old gardener’s saying goes: ‘Feet in the shade, head in the sun.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially through Summer. Water deeply every two to three days to ensure moisture reaches the roots.
Feeding: Apply a slow-release fertiliser in Spring, then feed fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser like Multifeed or Nitrosol. Alternate every month with a light sprinkling of 3:1:5 or 3:2:1.
Pruning: Clematis ‘Ithemba’ belongs to Group 3, which means it flowers on new growth. In late Winter or early Spring, simply cut all stems down to around 15cm – they’ll re-shoot quickly and bloom again within weeks.
Display ideas: Try growing Ithemba in a large decorative pot on a sunny patio, or plant it between climbing roses for a romantic, layered look. A simple bamboo teepee or small trellis offers perfect support for its twining stems. If you’re growing in pots, re-pot every few years, planting a little deeper each time to encourage new stems.
Where to buy
To find your nearest stockist of Clematis, contact Samgro Wholesale Nursery on 021 873 4377.
Decor with a purpose
Here are a few creative ways to bring Clematis Ithemba into your holiday celebrations:
Living gift basket
Give the gift of growth. Pot a young Clematis Ithemba in a festive basket or decorative planter, surround it with seasonal touches – pinecones, gold ribbon or fairy lights – and add a tag that reads:
‘Planting hope this season’.
Mini garden trellis decor
Make a simple mini trellis from bamboo sticks or old wire hangers (painted gold or green) and train a young Clematis to twine around it. Use it as a table centrepiece or front-door decoration – and watch your festive décor keep growing into the New Year.
Festive garden arch
For avid gardeners, go big with a garden arch woven with Clematis Ithemba and intertwined ribbons or ornaments. It makes a meaningful entranceway – a walk through hope into the New Year.
Details: To support the Children’s Hospital Trust and their work with the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, visit childrenshospitaltrust.org.za/donate or scan the QR code.
