Clematis flowers have thousands of individual species from all over the world, with species native to Eurasia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. Many are flowering vines that climb well on a trellis or pergola, and a few others are smaller and suitable for containers. The size of the flower varies according to the varieties. Most of the large-flowered clematis come from China, Japan and other regions of the Far East. Many of these popular varieties were bred and cultivated in England in the nineteenth century after being imported from China.
The genus of clematis plant species includes three main categories, early flowering, repeated flowering and after flowering. It is important to know which group your clematis is in, as this determines when and whether pruning should take place. Early flowering does not require pruning. Repeated blooms should be pruned twice a year, and after blooms should be pruned in spring. Within these categories there are several groups of plants, each with several individual varieties.
Clematis: First flowers
Evergreen, blooms from December to April-20 to 40 foot vines, 1 to 4 inch white or pink flowers, no pruning, 6 to 9 zones
Alpine, blooms from April to May-6 to 10 foot vines, 1 to 2 inch sapphire, purple, red or pink flowers, no pruning, zones 3 to 9
Macropetala (or downy clematis), blooms in April and May, some bloom again in the summer-8 to 12 foot vines, 1 to 3 inch sapphire or purple flowers, no pruning, zones 4 to 9
Montana, blooms from April to June-20 to 40 foot vines, 1 to 2 inch white or pink flowers, no pruning, vigorous growth, zones 6-9
Rock garden, April and May bloom-vines up to 6 feet, 1 to 2 inch white flowers, no pruning, vigorous growth, zones 7-9
Clematis: Repeated flowering
First with large flowers, they bloom from April to June, then from August to September, vines from 4 to 12 feet, large sapphire or purple flowers from 6 to 10 inches, prune slightly in early spring and again in early summer, zones 4-11. This group includes the popular clematis Cl
Clematis: After flowering
Late to large flowers, blooms in summer or fall, vines 6 to 12 feet, large sapphire, purple, red, pink or white flowers 5 to 8 inches, pruning in spring, zones 4 to 11.
Herbaceous, blooms from early summer to fall, 12 to 24 inches tall with spreading soil up to 3 feet, white, sapphire or red flowers, pruning in spring, zones 4 to 11.
Viticella, flowering from June to October or November, vines from 10 to 15 feet, sapphire, pink and purple flowers from 3 to 5 inches, pruning in early spring, zones 4 to 11.
TeensisEnsis, blooms from June to December, vines 10-15 feet tall, 1-3 inches of red and orange flowers, pruning in early spring, zones 4-8.
Viorna, the leather flowers, bloom from July to August or September, vines from 8 to 12 feet, red-purple flowers, pruning in after winter or early spring, zones 4-9.
Orientalis, blooms from June to November, vines 15 to 20 feet, 1 to 3 inches of hanging yellow flowers, pruning in early spring, zones 4 to 11.
Late mixed species, blooms from July to November, vines from 6 to 30 feet (depending on the species), white or purple flowers from 1 to 2 inches, pruning in after winter or early spring, zones 5 to 9.
There are several varieties of clematis native to the United States. The largest group of species is Clematis Te Te The Viorna group includes two common varieties, Clematis Crispa, from the southeastern United States and Clematis Hirsutissima, a small non-vinous variety often called hairy clematis native to the Pacific northwest.
- Clematis
- Perennial
- Full sun, but keep the roots shaded.
- Moist, well-drained neutral soil (pH 6.5 to 7.5).
- Start the cuttings indoors.
- Plant rooted cuttings in the garden in the summer.
- Purchased plants can be planted from mid-spring to autumn.
- Plant 24 inches apart
Growing in containers:
Choose a large clay pot with good drainage.
Plant an existing plant for best results, although cuttings can also be planted.
It continues to grow in full sun, with the roots and the pot shaded.
Repot every three years or so.
Water regularly, keeping the soil moist.
Climatic Zones: Generally 4-9, some varieties support up to zone 2 and others up to zone 11.
Clematis can be started from seeds or cuttings, but cuttings are much easier. The seeds take a few years to germinate. If you buy a young clematis in a garden store, it is almost certainly part of a cut. If you are making cuttings from an existing plant, do it in the spring. Cuttings can be taken in summer or autumn, but this is more difficult, the vines are more mature and take root more slowly. Cut a few vines with several leaves that start from the main stem, but without flowers. With scissors, cut the vines into sections, about an inch above each set of branched leaves. This should leave you with several sections, each a few centimeters long with a pair of leaves at the top. Set of 4 stemmed plants in a 6 inch wide pot with good starting soil and make sure the soil is firm around each stem.
Store them in a humid environment. In humid areas, no cover is necessary, but when growing clematis, I found it preferable to keep the pots covered with a large plastic bag. I use a metal hook, bent to keep the bag supported on the cuttings. Not all cuttings will take root, but those that do will begin to grow within two months. Remove the bag and they should grow quite quickly by then. Once you reach about 18 inches in height, trim a little to encourage branching. Plant them in the garden at the end of July or August.
Location is important. It must have a neutral, well-drained and good quality soil. Full sun is essential, but the roots need shade. I keep large rocks on hand to place them around the roots, to avoid the sun. Companion plants can also be used around the base of the plant. Good ones for clematis include lettuce and other edible vegetables, as well as annual or perennial flowers to help shade the roots. For clematis, there is a well-known and very useful saying: “Head in the sun and feet in the shade.”Other companions can be shrubs and trees to provide a natural trellis.
Clematis should be planted with enough space to fully grow. Smaller varieties can be planted as close as 18 inches apart, larger vines need 36 inches, but 24 inches is a good standard distance for most. They will need a trellis. Before planting them, put some trellis, the best type has a small trellis, about 5 or 6 feet high. In the first year, cut them a little by removing the ends because they persuade the plant to branch. Pruning is important for many varieties, but not for the first florists. See the description above for more specific information about the size from year to year. Young plants need some protection from the cold. Start them after the last frost if you are planting clematis that are already rooted in the spring.
Planting in pots is a popular option for many types of clematis. Smaller varieties are easier, but if you have a large, good-sized pot, drink types will do well with a trellis. In a sense, growing in containers is easier, because it allows them to be moved indoors in cold weather. In addition, the soil can be kept moist and cool more easily.
Use a good quality potting soil mixed with sand and compost. Transplant the clematis into a large, well-drained clay pot. The container must be at least 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Carefully fill the soil around the base of the vine. Water the new plant thoroughly. Keep the pot in direct sunlight with a metal mesh. The roots must be shaded. Keep your plant well watered, making sure that the soil remains moist but not soggy. All clematis grown in pots should be pruned regularly for the first three years, pinching the tips of the new stems. This will divert the energy of the plant to the development of the roots. After three years, prune as you would for garden clematis.
Clematis has some common pests to watch out for, such as aphids, ear aphids can be removed with a stream of hard water. Earwigs can be prevented by mixing a little dish soap with water and spraying the plants. The weevils of the vine can be controlled with the help of diatomaceous earth, scattered around the base of the plant.