About
Clematis 'Arabella' is a semi-herbaceous perennial characterized by its compact growth and scrambling stems. It produces deep blue-mauve blooms measuring 7.5-9 cm in diameter, featuring six slender sepals that transition to a pinky-mauve hue. This variety flowers from late spring through early autumn.
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
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial, Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- 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 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 of the clematis level with the soil. Ideal for growing through plants in the herbaceous border. See clematis cultivation for more advice
- Pruning
- Clematis pruning: group three
- Propagation
- Propagate by layering or 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