Clematis

Clematis is a large genus of mostly woody climbing vines, popular for its abundant and often very large flowers in nearly every color. Gardeners often summarize its needs as wanting its head in the sun and its roots in the shade.

With hundreds of species and cultivars, clematis spans early, mid, and late-season bloomers, allowing flowers across much of the growing year. Pruning groups depend on when the variety blooms.

Recognizable as a clinging vine using twining leaf stalks rather than tendrils.

• Flowers: showy, often 8-20 cm wide, with petal-like sepals (no true petals); colors include purple, blue, pink, white, red
• Leaves: usually compound, opposite, climbing by curling leaf stems
• Seed heads: feathery, silvery plumes after flowering
• Habit: woody or herbaceous climber, 1-6 m

Site clematis where the top gets sun but the roots stay cool and shaded.

• Light: at least six hours of sun on the foliage; mulch or low plants to shade roots
• Water: keep evenly moist, especially the first seasons; never let it fully dry
• Soil: rich, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline
• Feeding: balanced fertilizer in spring
• Pruning: depends on bloom time (Group 1 light, Group 2 light, Group 3 hard prune)

The genus is widespread across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with many species from China and Japan, plus Europe and North America.

Naturally it scrambles through hedgerows, woodland edges, and over shrubs. In gardens it is trained up trellises, arbors, fences, and through host shrubs and trees.