About
Clematis 'Blue Bird' is a deciduous climbing plant that can reach heights of approximately 3 meters. Its foliage consists of mid-green leaves made up of three leaflets, each featuring serrated edges. The plant produces semi-double, bell-shaped flowers in a lavender-blue hue, characterized by slender, twisted tepals measuring 6 cm in length. These flowers encircle a central pale blue petal skirt and creamy-white stamens. The primary flowering period occurs on older growth in mid to late spring, with a few blooms appearing in late summer.
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
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 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 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 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level. Can be grown in containers at least 45cm deep and wide in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost. See clematis cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning (clematis) group 1, tidy, if necessary, immediately after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in early summer or layering
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails or caterpillars on young growth
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux