A climbing vine that smothers its support in flowers, clematis ranges from modest forms topping out at 8 feet to giants scrambling over 32 feet, in a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes. Give it sun overhead but keep its base shaded and the soil cool and moist, and it earns its nickname, Queen of vines.
| Name | Clematis |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Type | Vine |
| Height | 6 to 40 feet (2 to 12 meters) |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil | Deep and cool |
| Foliage | Deciduous or evergreen |
| Flowering | early spring to mid-autumn |
The planting, pruning and caring for clematis are as many small things to do that will considerably increase the blooming.
The planting of clematis is either done in fall or spring, as long as it doesn’t freeze, in a blend of garden soil and soil mix.
Something really important is that the base of the plant must stay in the shade. Plant other flowers around the base to cover it and keep it cool.
If the base is in direct sun, (ie., sunlight hits the root collar), then cover it with an old tile or a few odd rocks.
Growing clematis in a pot is child’s play.
Practically, certain varieties like Clematis alpina are better suited to it because of their slow growth.
Clematis is quite uncomplicated, and can be done in various manners like cuttings, layering or grafting.
Generally, clematis vines are very hardy, especially at root level. They’re well-suited to most temperate climates, since they grow back from the stump even if airborne parts were frozen stiff.
This vine isn’t difficult to care for, and as years come and go, care just gets easier and easier. A little water and fertilizer (optional) will boost growth and blooming.
Watering will help over the 2 first years, but no need to add fertilizer. Doesn’t this make it easy to care for?
Also important is to water in case of dry weather because moist and cool soil is what clematis prefers.
Pruning is a requirement to boost blooming and branching out.
Always prune after the blooming, or you’ll miss out on flowers for an entire year.
For small-flowered clematis (spring blooming), prune in summer after the flowers have wilted away, eliminating dead wood and stems that are gobbling up too much space. Also cut back older stems by ⅓.
Clematis do not all flower at the same moment, and that is exactly what decides when you pick up the secateurs. Use the table below to match your vine to its flowering season and its pruning date.
| Clematis | When it flowers | When to prune | What to cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small-flowered clematis | Spring | In summer, once flowers have faded | Dead wood, sprawling stems, older stems by a third |
| Summer-flowering clematis | Summer | End of winter, around late winter | Stems that flowered last year, back to 20 inches (50 cm) |
| Clematis cirrhosa | Winter | After blooming | Prune only once flowering is over |
| Clematis alpina | Spring | After blooming | Light pruning only; slow-growing, ideal in a pot |
Whatever the group, never prune before flowering or you will forfeit a whole year of bloom.
This climbing vine’s unique characteristic is an abundant and generous flower-bearing. Not all are fragrant – well, not significantly so – but some clematis vines smell delicious.
Pretty hardy, clematis will resist cold and freezing down to the vicinity of 14°F (-10°C).
The diversity you’ll encounter when looking up available varieties will stun you. There’s a wide range of colors and shapes, and also 2 distinct blooming seasons: one in spring and the other in summer. Some species even bloom in winter, like Clematis cirrhosa.
Clematis offers a wide scope of sizes, the smallest maxing out at 8 feet (2.5 m) tall, and others climbing up to over 32 feet (10 meters).
There are also clematis that have large or small flowers, too. In the end, ’tis like having to choose from a kaleidoscope of varieties, each as appealing as the next.
Clematis are decidedly deserving of their nickname: Queen of vines.
From the list of interesting species and cultivars, take note of Clematis armandii, Clematis alpina and Clematis montana.
The choice is vast, but a handful of clematis have earned their place in gardens everywhere for sheer reliability. Compare them on colour, height and flowering season, then check the pruning group before you buy.
| Variety | Flower colour | Height | Flowering season | Pruning group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Apple Blossom’ | White flushed pink | 16-20 ft (5-6 m) | Early spring, evergreen | Group 1 (after flowering) |
| ‘Frances Rivis’ | Nodding blue bells | 8 ft (2.5 m) | Spring | Group 1 (after flowering) |
| ‘The President’ | Rich purple-blue | 8-10 ft (2.5-3 m) | Early summer and late summer | Group 2 (light) |
| ‘Elizabeth’ | Soft pink, vanilla scented | 23-33 ft (7-10 m) | Spring | Group 1 (after flowering) |
| ‘Jackmanii’ | Deep violet-purple | 10-13 ft (3-4 m) | Summer | Group 3 (hard) |
| ‘Etoile Violette’ | Dark violet-purple | 10-13 ft (3-4 m) | Summer | Group 3 (hard) |
| ‘Nelly Moser’ | Pale mauve-pink, carmine bar | 8-10 ft (2.5-3 m) | Late spring, again late summer | Group 2 (light) |
| ‘Ville de Lyon’ | Carmine red, gold stamens | 10 ft (3 m) | Summer to early autumn | Group 3 (hard) |
You can attach your clematis to a lattice to ensure it develops the way you want it to!
