Florida Group

In 1776, the Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg—the first Swede to reach Japan—discovered Clematis courtoisii (a Chinese native species) and brought it back to Sweden. However, it was mistakenly identified as C. florida. This species features stark white sepals and deep purple stamens, creating a striking visual contrast. In European breeding programs, it became a distinct lineage, with its descendants forming the Florida Group (Group F) clematis. One of its well-known cultivars is ‘Florida Alba Plena’ (commonly called ‘Little Green’ in China).