Clematis Past, Present and Future by Raymond Evison CBE VMH FLS FCI Hort

Multi award-winning Clematis expert Raymond Evison to give this year’s Max Walters Memorial Lecture in Cambridge for plant enthusiasts Plant Heritage's Cambridge group is delighted to welcome renowned Clematis grower and breeder Raymond Evison CBE VMH FLS FCI Hort to give a public lecture for everyone who wants to find out more about these beautiful plants, their fascinating history and what the future might hold for them. Raymond is founder and chairman of the prestigious Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd (Production Company), which won its 35th Gold Medal at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The nursery was also awarded best exhibit in the Great Pavilion and its new red Clematis 'Elpis'™ EviGsy154 (PBR) was shortlisted for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2025.    Raymond’s lecture will cover the early introduction of Clematis species from Europe from the 16th century onwards and then more importantly the Chinese Clematis species that were the parents of our modern day large, flowered hybrids. Raymond has been visiting China since 1981 where half of the 300 Clematis species in the world are native. He will include the breeding work of the 19th and 20th Centuries before focusing on his own breeding and development work during the late 20th century and early 21st century and the use of these beautiful plants in the gardens of today. He will conclude with his current work in China and what the garden Clematis might look like in the future.