Clematis: How to Plant and Care for Clematis Plants

Clematis, known as the “queen of the vines,” may be best known for its large-flowering, purple, star-shape blooms on twining vines. Learn how and when to plant clematis—plus clematis care tips and advice on how to propagate this long-lived perennial plant—which will bloom for generations!

About Clematis

There are more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids of clematis. Most clematis are woody, deciduous vines while others are shrub, or trailing types. Some species bloom in spring; others, in mid-to late summer. Most clematis are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 and native to North America.

The blooms are spectacular with some flowers reaching up to 10 inches across! These showy flowers in the form of saucers, bells, tubes, tulips, open bells, doubles, and semi-double. The flowers are usually in the cool shades of purple or pink though they do come in a stunning array of tones including blue, white, magenta, yellow, and bicolor. Also, many clematis varieties are scented. (The most fragrant species is the tender C. armandii.)

Clematises appreciate a trellis, post, or stationary structure to climb; without something, the vine will sprawl, including over the ground. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies love their blooms.

Clematis thrives in full sun—at least 6 hours a day for good bloom. However, the sensitive roots cannot take the heat; keep plant roots moist and cool with mulch, low-growing plants, and ground cover. Soil must be loose, well-draining with a neural pH. Prior to planting, mix in compost or aged manure, plus a few handfuls of bonemeal.

When to Plant Clematis

Planting in the cool spring is generally more successful than fall planting
Plant potted clematis anytime after the last spring frost and before fall’s first one.

How to Plant Clematis

Dig a planting hole that’s about 2 to 3 times the width of the root ball and a few inches deeper. To stay cool, the crown (the part of the plant where the stem and roots meet) should be about 4 inches below the soil surface. This will encourage branching and stem development underground.
Fill in with soil, water thoroughly, and mulch to keep the roots cool and minimize weeds.
Place the climbing structure, if using.

Growing

Keep the soil moist during the first year by watering weekly. So not let the soil dry out. In colder regions, add extra mulch around the plant in late fall to protect the roots. Once the plant is in the ground, don’t disturb or move it. .

In spring, fertilize with a liquid seaweed or fish emulsion. In subsequent years, fertilize with a balances, all-purpose (5-10-5) fertilizer.
Each spring, spread compost around the plant (away from the stems).
In spring, prune dead wood back, cutting above new, emerging buds.
On older plants, remove any stems that are 4 years old or older.

Pruning Clematis

Prune clematis to promote flowering. There are 3 different kinds of clematis and you need to determine which kind you have before you prune. Woody-stemmed types like the Clematis montana bloom early on last year’s stems. Prune plants after flowering to remove deadwood.

Clematises belong to one of three groups, based on flower size and bloom time.

Group 1: Woody-stemmed types bloom on last year’s stems. Flowers appear in early to midspring. Prune after flowering, if desired, to remove deadwood. Examples include: C. armandii, C. alpine, C. cirrhosis, C. macropetula, and C. montana.

Group 2: Double and semidouble flowers should also be pruned as above. They may bloom twice: in May/June on last year’s wood, and later in the year on new shoots. But prune after spring flowers fade; remove dead wood in late winter. Examples include hybrids: ‘Miss Bateman’, Lake Sondesborough’, ‘Nelly Moser’, ‘Henry’, ‘Marie Boisselot’, and ‘Elsa Spath’.

Group 3: Large, showy flowers that bloom in summer and autumn are on current year’s growth. Prune severely in late winter/early spring, leaving two pairs of buds on each stem. Common varieties include: C. viticella, C. recta, and C. x jackmanii.

See our complete post on pruning your clematis.

Recommended Varieties

Clematis armandii: the most fragrant species; clusters of large, star-shape, vanilla-scented white flowers in spring; needs sturdy support.

Clematis ‘Lincoln Star’: large, deep pink blooms in late spring and late summer; 8 to 10 feet tall.
Clematis ‘Elsa Spath’: profuse, large, single, blue-purple flowers; blooms early and late summer; 8 to 12 feet tall.
C. viticella ‘Betty Corning’: light purple, bell-like flowers all season long; dies to the ground each winter, then climbs up to 10 feet each spring; needs sturdy support.
C. heracleifolia: shrub form; small, blue, hyacinth-like flowers in late summer; dies back almost to ground in winter; gets about 4 feet tall and wide
C. tangutica: profuse, bright yellow, bell-shaped flower from midsummer to late fall, with showy, silky seed heads; grows up to 3 feet a year; needs sturdy support.
C. ‘Sweet Summer Love’: profuse, fragrant, small, reddish-purple, star-shape flowers from July to October; grows to 12 feet; disease-resistant; very hardy to survive the toughest winters.

Visit our post on clematis varieties to see our favorites!

Harvesting

Clematises can make excellent cut flowers, although vining types can be challenging because of their short stems. Use these to fill out the bottom of the arrangement.

Shrubby or herbaceous types for cut flowers include C. hexapetala, C. recta, C. heracleifolia, and C. integrifolia.

Wit and Wisdom

The name “clematis” comes from the ancient Greek klematis, for a climbing vine!
Clematis belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).
Wild clematises (Clematis virginia), aka old man’s beard, virgin’s bower, and devil’s darning needles, can grow 20 feet in 1 year.
Centuries ago, Europeans used clematis vines to make baskets and fish traps.

Pests/Diseases

The most serious disease is commonly called clematis wilt. It is a stem rot/leaf spot disease caused by a fungus. It mainly affects large-flowered clematis hybrids.

Diseases: Clematis is also susceptible to powdery mildew, rust, fungal leaf spot, and viruses.
Pests: Aphids, vine weevils, slugs/snails, scale insects, spider mites, and earwigs.