Clematis
( KLEM - at - iss )
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of deciduous and evergreen vines and perennials are popular, eye-catching flowers that add drama to any garden. They require full sun to partial shade and regular water. The flower are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Some varieties have large flowers, others have smaller, but more profuse, blooms. Some are scented, others for their foliage or flowers. The most commonly-known varieties are vining, though lesser-known species are upright, bushy growers.
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Clematis Species and Varietals
The genus Clematis includes around 380 species and countless varieties and is a member of the plant family The best growing zones for Clematis vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Clematis alpina Deciduous; native to Europe and Asia. Grows best in zones A2, A3, 1-11 and 14-18. Gets 6-8 feet long and blooms in early springtime. Flowers come in periwinkle, white, pink, or purple and are followed by decorative seed heads. This species is very cold-hardy, and includes varieties such as 'Burford White' (with white flowers), 'Constance' (with reddish-pink blooms), 'Pamela Jackman' (with blue flowers), 'Frances Rivis' (with sky-blue blossoms), 'Frankie' (with soft blue flowers), and 'Ruby' (with rose-pink blooms). |
Clematis armandii (Evergreen Clematis) This species grows in zones 4-9 and 12-24 and is native to China. It is a fast-growing vine to 15-20 feet in length and has leathery, dark green leaves. Flowers are white and scented with vanilla, blooming in early to mid-spring. If soil or water is too saline, leaf tips will burn badly. Great in sunny spots, but do need some protection from wind. Can be slow to start, but once established, will grow rapidly. Fantastic for screening, needs pruning yearly after bloom to avoid buildup at the stem. Commonly grown varieties include 'Apple Blossom' (with pinkish white blooms), 'Snowdrift' (pure white blooms), and 'Hendersonii Rubra' (with soft pink flowers). |
Clematis crispa This vine is deciduous, and grows best in zones A2, A3, 2-11 and 14-24. It is native to the southeastern United States and reaches 5-8 feet or more. Flowers are pale blue and bell-shaped with curled-back tips; they are also fragrant. Blooming period is from late spring through fall. Seed heads that follow flowers are feathery and interesting-looking. Can be trained into a shrub, where delicate stems will be more protected. |
Clematis integrifolia
This herbaceous perennial grows best in zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-24. It is native to Europe and Asia, and is not a climbing vine species of Clematis. It reaches 2-3 feet tall and a little less wide and has bell-shaped blue flowers that are sometimes fragrant. Great for growing in borders. Varieties are outlined below.
This herbaceous perennial grows best in zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-24. It is native to Europe and Asia, and is not a climbing vine species of Clematis. It reaches 2-3 feet tall and a little less wide and has bell-shaped blue flowers that are sometimes fragrant. Great for growing in borders. Varieties are outlined below.
Clematis macropetala (Downy Clematis)
This deciduous vine is best in zones A2, A3, 1-11 and 14-18. It is native to the northern regions of China and Siberia. Gets to 6-10 feet long and has feathery leaves. Bell-shaped double flowers come in light blue, purple, pink, or white, with cream-colored inner sepals. Seed heads are silvery and provide interest after blooms have faded. Varieties are outlined here.
This deciduous vine is best in zones A2, A3, 1-11 and 14-18. It is native to the northern regions of China and Siberia. Gets to 6-10 feet long and has feathery leaves. Bell-shaped double flowers come in light blue, purple, pink, or white, with cream-colored inner sepals. Seed heads are silvery and provide interest after blooms have faded. Varieties are outlined here.
Clematis montana (Anemone Clematis)
This species of Clematis is a deciduous vine that grows best in zones 3b-9 and 14-18. It is native to the Himalayas and grows vigorously to 20 feet or more. Flowers are profuse and anemone-like, commonly in shades of pink. Flowers will bloom from late spring to early summer. Needs room to grow and relatively routine pruning. Varieties are outlined below.
This species of Clematis is a deciduous vine that grows best in zones 3b-9 and 14-18. It is native to the Himalayas and grows vigorously to 20 feet or more. Flowers are profuse and anemone-like, commonly in shades of pink. Flowers will bloom from late spring to early summer. Needs room to grow and relatively routine pruning. Varieties are outlined below.
Clematis ternifolia (Clematis discoreifolia, Clematis maximowicziana) (Sweet Autumn Clematis) This deciduous vine grows best in zones 2-11 and 14-24, and is native to China, Korea and Japan. Grows quickly to 20 feet long, and has dark green leaves. Masses of cream-white fragrant flowers bloom in late summer and fall. Can reseed in favorable conditions. Likes warm, sunny locations in the garden and makes a great privacy screen. Wonderful on arbors. |
Clematis texensis (Scarlet Clematis) This species grows best in zones 2b-11 and 14-24, and is native to Texas. This plant reaches 6-10 feet quickly, and has blue-green foliage and scarlet flowers that bloom from early summer through late fall. Great for posts and trellises, and needs full sun and air circulation. Hybrid varieties of this species include 'Duchess of Albany' (pictured, with vivid pink blooms), 'Gravetype Beauty' (with crimson flowers), and 'Princess Diana' (with rich pink flowers). |
Clematis viticella
This deciduous vine is native to southern Europe and western Asia, and grows best in zones A2, A3, 2-11 and 14-24. Reaches 8-10 feet with medium green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors. Summer and fall brings a profuse bloom. Easy to grow species that is tolerant of heat and poor soil. Varieties are outlined below.
This deciduous vine is native to southern Europe and western Asia, and grows best in zones A2, A3, 2-11 and 14-24. Reaches 8-10 feet with medium green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors. Summer and fall brings a profuse bloom. Easy to grow species that is tolerant of heat and poor soil. Varieties are outlined below.
Hybrid Varieties of Clematis
This group of large-flowering hybrids are deciduous and grow best in zones A2, A3, 2-11 and 14-24. They reach 6-10 feet long and have saucer-shaped flowers that grow to be 4-8 inches across. Many varieties are available through seed catalogues, less are available via purchase at nurseries. The following list is divided according to the flowering color of the hybrid variety.
This group of large-flowering hybrids are deciduous and grow best in zones A2, A3, 2-11 and 14-24. They reach 6-10 feet long and have saucer-shaped flowers that grow to be 4-8 inches across. Many varieties are available through seed catalogues, less are available via purchase at nurseries. The following list is divided according to the flowering color of the hybrid variety.
White-Flowering Hybrids
Pink-Flowering Hybrids
These varieties of Clematis need some protection from bright, direct sun to prevent flower color from fading.
These varieties of Clematis need some protection from bright, direct sun to prevent flower color from fading.
Red-Flowering Hybrids
Purple-Flowering Hybrids
Blue-Flowering Hybrids
Bicolor-Flowering Hybrids
In areas that receive hot temperatures in the summertime, plant these hybrids in bright shade to prevent the flower color from fading.
In areas that receive hot temperatures in the summertime, plant these hybrids in bright shade to prevent the flower color from fading.
Double-Flowering Hybrids
These hybrids have double-flowering, rose-like blooms that bloom in summertime from old wood. New wood will bloom later, and produce single or semi-double flowers.
These hybrids have double-flowering, rose-like blooms that bloom in summertime from old wood. New wood will bloom later, and produce single or semi-double flowers.
Caring for Clematis
Most varieties need 5-6 hours of sunlight per day to produce the most blooms possible. To plant, dig a hole 2 feet wide and deep, and plant in loose, fast-draining soil amended with organic matter. For varieties with large flowers, plant with the crown 3-5 inches below the soil surface. All other types can be planted with crowns at the ground level. Water all varieties regularly and fertilize with ????? every month during the growing season.
Pruning activities will depend on the flowering season of your plant. If you are unsure of when to prune, watch your plant for a year, and make note of when it flowers. For spring bloomers, prune after blooms expire. For those that bloom in summer and fall, prune when leaf buds are emerging, which is usually any time between late fall to early spring. Cut all stems on the plant back to 12-18 inches, making cuts just above a set of healthy leaf buds. For Clematis that flowers twice in one year, prune in late fall or early spring to thin out excess shoots, and after the blooms fade each time, prune more heavily to promote new shoots to sprout.
Pruning activities will depend on the flowering season of your plant. If you are unsure of when to prune, watch your plant for a year, and make note of when it flowers. For spring bloomers, prune after blooms expire. For those that bloom in summer and fall, prune when leaf buds are emerging, which is usually any time between late fall to early spring. Cut all stems on the plant back to 12-18 inches, making cuts just above a set of healthy leaf buds. For Clematis that flowers twice in one year, prune in late fall or early spring to thin out excess shoots, and after the blooms fade each time, prune more heavily to promote new shoots to sprout.
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Aphids
Mealybugs
Scale
Whiteflies
Snails
Slugs
Powdery Mildew
Stem Rot
Mealybugs
Scale
Whiteflies
Snails
Slugs
Powdery Mildew
Stem Rot
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 251 - 253, Clematis
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