About
Clematis 'Black Tea' is a deciduous vine that can reach heights of approximately 2.5 meters. It features mid-green, oval leaves that provide a lush backdrop. The large flowers, measuring up to 18 centimeters, exhibit a deep reddish-purple hue, accented by lighter red streaks along the petal centers. The central area showcases white filaments, and the petals have a wavy margin. Blooming occurs in late spring and early summer, with the possibility of an additional flowering period in late summer and 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, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- 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
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- 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 with the top of the root ball about 8cm below the soil surface, in a moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Position in sun or part shade, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. See clematis cultivation for more advice
- Pruning
- See clematis pruning: group two. Remove dead or damaged stems before growth begins in spring, or after flowering in early summer. Early flowers are produced on last season's wood
- Propagation
- Propagate from cuttings (climbers)
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids. Cutworms and voles may cut young stems
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux