Very often, when floral exquisiteness and avant-garde design meet, the outcome is a fantastical work of art. Such was the case of Slovakian florist teacher and floral designer Róbert Bartolen who created a ‘floating’ celestial masterpiece dubbed ‘Dreamy Floral Cloud’ during a recent masterclass in Romania. The theme of this event was ‘Bohemian Rainbow’, and the floral cloud took center stage.
The Allure of Clematis Amazing® Kansas
Róbert’s floral installation showcased the amazing qualities of grower Marginpar’s newly introduced Clematis Amazing® Kansas in an innovative design quite unlike your customary conventional arrangement. It blended dainty petals with airy textures to mimic the softness of celestial formations, characterizing how a savvy floral designer can harness a flower’s inherent qualities into a floral piece that seems to defy norm and convention.
Newly introduced, Clematis Amazing® Kansas is practically nonpareil in the Clematis Amazing® series, celebrated as much for its vivid hues as its ethereal charm, and structural resilience. Perhaps, you may even feel it looks familiar; in which case you’re not far from right. This variety has quite a lot in common with Clematis Amazing® Star River which is potentially the most popular member of the Clematis Amazing® series. You could even say Kansas is a younger sibling of Star River. The difference is just in their colors. But that’s that because this new Clematis variety is a whole new ball game on its own.
The flowers of the Clematis Amazing® Kansas are soft pink with an undertone of white. The petals are adorned with deeper lilac stripes on the back, creating a dreamlike natural ombré effect. In a design, these qualities complement each other. Also, thanks to its elegant buds, this Clematis has significant decorative value even before the flowers bloom. Its stems are particularly sturdy, and like the Star River variety, each stem carries four flowers.
Róbert:
"This flower's biggest advantage is the beautiful, soft pink color. It’s a truly rare shade—very few flowers are naturally this soft pink. Another advantage is its medium-sized bloom, which makes it particularly suitable for weddings and romantic arrangements. It’s not too large, yet still makes an impact with its delicate and dreamy appearance."
The Clematis Amazing® Kansas, mainly grown at Marginpar’s Michiru Farm in Tanzania has a unique ability to reorient its flowers when placed horizontally or diagonally—unlike most cut flowers—which allows the petals to orient themselves accordingly even in unconventional placements, a trait Róbert leveraged when creating the floating, cloud-like effect. Plus, its color makes it incredibly versatile: whether you pair it with pastels, bold hues, or earthy tones, Kansas blends in beautifully.
Róbert Bartolen’s Imaginative Idea for the ‘Dreamy Floral Cloud’
Róbert has worked with Clematis for some time and is a true admirer of this flower. His design, therefore, started with his rich understanding of the Clematis Amazing® series’ qualities including structural flexibility, and others. He observed how its stems could be gently worked without compromising the flowers themselves, a feature he had previously exploited in his earlier Clematis designs.
Róbert:
“Clematis flowers, in general, are my passion, and every new variety intrigues me. The quality from Marginpar is exceptionally high. This color was missing from the collection and is a perfect addition. What makes Marginpar’s production special is the strength of the stems, which is quite rare for this type of flower. Even the tallest varieties remain sturdy.
The foliage is also impressive—it always arrives in a fresh, healthy green state. I have never received a Clematis from the Amazing® series with blemished or wilted leaves. It is always incredibly fresh."
For the floral cloud, he prioritized dynamic nimbleness, strategically using the flower to create layered, almost three-dimensional depth. He paired the Clematis Amazing® Kansas with earthy tones, making its soft pink hue stand out even more.
For a similar design, Róbert advises considering combining this Kansas Clematis with Talinum Long John, Miscanthus White Cloud, and the fluffy Clematis Amazing® Kibo.
He shares a Clematis essential tip:
“Remove the leaves from the Clematis stems for a longer vase life. This flower has an excellent lifespan. I’ve never had one last less than eight days, and the longest lasted up to three weeks in a bouquet at home.
When I work with fresh stock and process it immediately, I can always count on a long-lasting result. Proper care is key. I always remove the leaves, cut the stem at an angle, and use fresh water. I store the flower at a natural temperature of around 19°C and let it rest for 24 hours to acclimatize and hydrate. After that, it looks incredibly vibrant and lasts the longest."
As he puts it, the Clematis’ long vase life ensures a floral installation’s longevity. Thus, quite unlike passing cloud formations, the floral cloud he made with the Clematis Amazing® Kansas as the star, definitely, lingered for much longer, the colors remaining vivid for weeks.
The Dreamy Floral Cloud’s Aesthetics
Bartolen’s dreamy floral cloud is characterized by an airy texture and almost monochromatic harmony. The pale petals of this Clematis form the base of the design with its strategically placed stems creating a sense of animate dynamism as if the clouds are drifting. The lilac stripes on the reverse of the petals add subtle contrast. They seem to catch the light and amplify the illusion of depth.
In this video, Róbert explains more about his passion for Clematis:
His technique simply hinged on balance and restraint. Rather than overcrowd the design, he allowed negative spaces to intensify the floral cloud’s almost ethereal quality. Blending these elements guaranteed that he transformed this structured flower into a whimsical, dreamlike installation.
Design by Róbert Bartolen, video and photography by Michael Vinš, production by Péter Balla. Flowers by Marginpar, Decorum Plants & Flowers, Montana Lisianthus, Middenweg Flowers, Dekker Chrysanten, Arcadia Chrysanten, G. de Koning, Van der Valk Groenesier, Madiba, Mediaverdi, Villa Gerbera, Villa Curcuma, and Interplant Roses. Glass products by Aleksandra Stencel. Main partner: Floro Romania.
