In recognition of his many decades' achievements and services to the horticultural industry, alongside his passion and devotion in promoting the Island of Guernsey, Raymond Evison was recently appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) - the highest-ranking Order of the British Empire award outside a knighthood or damehood.
Raymond is no stranger to accolades, having won no fewer than 33 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, most recently in 2023.
C. Diana’s Delight is the third clematis to feature in our miniature sheet series Clematis Gold, which has been beautifully captured by botanical artist Gillian Barlow.
Diana’s Delight
Bred as part of the Evison and Poulsen Breeding Programme in Raymond’s nursery in Guernsey, Diana’s Delight is named after Lady Rowland in recognition of her work with Raymond on several of his books on the genus clematis, including a French edition. A trained botanist, Lady Rowland is the wife of Sir Geoffrey Rowland, who was Bailiff of Guernsey between 2005-2012.
Clematis Diana’s Delight is of a powdery mid blue, with a cream centre; the sepals have darker edges that become lighter towards the centre but then have a central slightly darker bar.
