Plant of the Week: Clematis

Clematis are gorgeous perennial vines with large, colorful, star-shaped flowers. Depending on variety, clematis can begin blooming in spring or summer and flowering can last for weeks. Those flowers can be any number of colors including various shades of pink, purple and white. Clematis add a touch of elegance wherever they grow, whether they’re creeping up a trellis, climbing an arbor or circling a pole.

While they do best in full sun (at least 6 hours per day), Clematis enjoy having a shaded root system, so plant where the base of the plant can receive afternoon shade.

Moist, well draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Clematis are not drought tolerant so be sure to water during dry spells and use mulch to help keep soil moist.

Fertilize with a fertilizer for flowers, like Dr. Earth Total Advantage or Dynamite.

It is important to supply Clematis with a support for them to climb at the time of planting. Clematis that don’t have adequate support will suffer if grown along the ground.

Some of Our Favorite Varieties

Blue Angel - Reaching 10 to 15 feet tall, Blue Angel bears pale lavender-blue flowers that can be 4 to 6 inches in diameter.

Irene - Averaging 5 to 6 feet tall, Irene has beautiful light pink flowers that are 4 to 5 inches wide.

Sweet Autumn - Also known as Paniculata. While it’s white flowers tend to only be about 1 inch wide, it blooms profusely and can reach up to 30 feet tall!

Sapphire Indigo - Reaching about 3 to 4 feet tall, Sapphire Indigo has deep purple flowers that are about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

Ninon - Averaging between 3 and 4 feet tall, Ninon has gorgeous white flowers that are about 3 to 4 inches wide.