About

A small, early-blooming vine that produces large flowers.

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
Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Climber Wall Shrub
Habit
Climbing
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate 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
Prefers partial shade. See clematis cultivation for more advice
Pruning
Pruning (clematis) group 2 Remove dead or damaged stems before growth begins in early spring, trimming all remaining stems back to where strong buds are visible.
Propagation
Seeds as soon as ripe. Divide or take basal cuttings in spring
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