About
Clematis 'Advent Bells' is a robust climber that can grow up to 5 meters in height. It produces distinctive, bell-shaped blooms with four petals that are a pale greenish-cream color, featuring dark red speckles on the interior. The long, greenish stamens add to its unique appearance. During the summer, the leaves may either turn a lime-green hue or drop off entirely as the plant enters its dormant phase.
About the genus
Clematis includes a variety of plants, ranging from deciduous and evergreen shrubs to herbaceous perennials. Many of these species are climbers, utilizing twining leaf stalks for support, and they frequently produce prominent flowers. In the fall, certain varieties develop appealing fluffy seed heads.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (rabbits): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant in a sheltered position in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. Plant with the crown at soil level. In cold areas, grow in a container and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See clematis cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning (clematis) group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by layering or by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, snails and caterpillars; petals may be eaten by earwigs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux