Beautiful and intimate flowering vines , theClematisgenus is also a extremely various and diverse chemical group of works .
They supply a full mountain chain of sumptuous flower colors and blush that range from lowly , nodding bell to surplus - large starbursts .
The legion metal money and hybrids declare oneself an extended growing season , with variety show for bounce , summertime , and fall down unfolding times , and many that rebloom as well .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
Growth habits are as wide-ranging as the many coinage , and stray from straggle , woody lianas to neaten , herbaceous basis covers .
We link to vender to help you discover relevant products . If you grease one’s palms from one of our links , we may earn a commission .
When throw the ripe weather condition , they can be fecund bloomers , cover fences , pergolas , and wall with week of bedazzle floral display . And giving them the correct conditions is simple and easy .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
Just keep the roots nerveless , allow the foliage to grow into the sun , and prune according to the motive of their culture group , and you ’ll enjoy a bounty of blossoms .
But what if you inherit the vine and do n’t know the name of your cultivar , or the radical it belongs to ? Read on – you’re able to speedily learn about the types of clematis and how to describe your own vine mightily here !
Here ’s a quick rundown of everything that ’s ahead :
Clematis Classification Groups
I. Evergreen
II . Alpine
III . Macropetala
IV . Montana
V. Rockery
VI . Early Large - Flowered
VII . later Large - Flowered
VIII . Herbaceous
IX . Viticella
X. Texensis
XI . Orientalis
XII . tardy Mixed Species
Photo by Lorna Kring.
Clematisis a great genus of perennials that include about 300 metal money and legion hybrid .
Garden varieties are principally composed of full-bodied mounting vine likeC. jackmanii , but also include shrubby , upright character likeC. recta , herbaceous specie that die back in wintertime such asC. integrifolia , and non - clinging undercoat embrace likeC. jouiniana .
Most specie are cold large-minded and deciduous in nature , losing their leaves in gloaming . But there are also those that remain evergreen in sphere with mild winters , such asC. armandii .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
Clematis varieties are divided into three radical allot to their efflorescence times , ontogenesis equipment characteristic , and pruning requisite .
Group 1 is the springtime bloomers , Group 2 are repeat bloomers , and Group 3 are summer or free fall bloomers .
sleep together your pruning group is of import because dissimilar varietiesflower at different timesand at different growth sites – and wrong pruning in can lead in pregnant flower loss .
Some works flower on erstwhile wood , some on new wood , and some break bud on a combination of old and raw growth .
Once you ’ve identified your vine and know to which group they belong to , a short one-year pruning – or not – can transform them into mythic , flowering piece de resistance .
Several classification systems exist for clematis subsection . For the purpose of plant identification , the12 groupsoutlined by Dr. John Howells , a found member of the British Clematis Society , render a honest acknowledgment for the home gardener . We will adumbrate these here .
When identifying a plant , it ’s helpful to take note the flower shape and size , flower predilection ( downward- , outward- , or upward - cladding ) , flowering time of year , and growth habits . practice this information to cross - reference your plants with the 12 groups to find a match .
For cultivation details , refer toour complete clematis develop pathfinder .
Classification Groups
The 12 groups are lean in approximative order of unfolding , with the appropriate pruning group noted for each one .
The first of the yr to bloom belongs to the Evergreen Group and includes popular metal money such asC. armandiiandC. cirrhosa .
Suitable for sphere with soft winter , the evergreen plant flower from December into April ( depending on your region ) , offering a richness of small , fragrant flowers . The open - faced , individual flowers have four to eight petal - similar sepals and step one to four inch across .
Flowers in nuance of white to creamy ashen or creamy pink , with a sweet , honey - almond aroma , are delightful when most of the garden is still asleep .
The Evergreens form beautiful , twelvemonth - round screen or dumb canopies with thick , lustrous , dark fleeceable leaves . After efflorescence , ornate satiny seed heads adorn the vine .
Fast - growing to a length of 20 to 40 foot , these vines can develop thick stem , and with a dense canopy , they can become grievous – be sure to furnish sturdy support for ripe industrial plant . ‘ Apple Blossom , ’ ‘ lentigo , ’ and ‘ Wisely Cream ’ are attractive evergreen examples .
C. armandiiis hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9 , whileC. cirrhosais hardy in Zones 7 to 9 . The Evergreens belong to Group 1 , the outflow fuckup , and require no annual pruning . A luminance grooming to make clean and goodly vines is all that ’s required .
The Alpine Group , C. alpina , flower next in April and May , with unmarried to double , nod toll that open to reveal downward- or outward - face , tutu - comparable flowers .
Petals ramble in numeral from four to 12 and flowers measure one to two inches in diam in varying shades of blue , mauve , pinkish , and red .
Deciduous Alpines and their cultivars are vigorous climber , grow six to 10 feet , and they favor light shade , making them a salutary choice for east- or north - face walls .
They ’re also excellent as a ground cover or rambler and develop showy , silvery seed heads after flowering .
Alpines are easy to train for growth on fences , treillage , or rampart . ‘ Jacqueline du Pre , ’ ‘ Pamela Jackman , ’ and ‘ Willy ’ are pop cultivars .
Hardy in Zones 3 through 9 , Alpines belong to Group 1 and require no yearly pruning .
member of the Macropetala Group , C. macropetala , are sometimes called fluffy clematis and prime in April and May , often reblooming lightly in summertime .
The purply - blue , single or treble flower measure out one to three inches across with four to 12 petals , and flow down like lanterns .
The vine make flashy climbers or ground cover , growing eight to 12 metrical foot in length and developing ornamental , silvern seed heads . ‘ Blue Bird , ’ ‘ Jan Lindmark , ’ and ‘ Markham ’s Pink ’ are democratic choices .
Hardy in zone 4 to 9 , Macropetalas belong to Group 1 . No pruning is required , just lightly neat and tidy vines annually if need .
With massive waves of fragrant flowers from April into June , the Montana Group , C. montana , produces small , one- to two - column inch single , semi , or double flowers with four to eight petals in multiple shades of garden pink to creamy white .
tight - growing , strong , and encompassing , Montana vines reach a mature superlative of 20 to 40 feet , displaying thousands of flush when in bloom .
The deciduous foliage is often tint reddish bronze and the plants in this group have good resistor to clematis wilting . ‘ Freda , ’ ‘ Mayleen , ’ and ‘ Reuben ’ are popular cultivars .
Hardy in Zones 6 to 9 , Montanas are in Group 1 – no pruning need outside of a light leaping cleansing .
The Rockery Group include the evergreen speciesC. marmorariaandC.xcartmaniihybrids , modest growing bush clematis works that blossom in April and May .
Like the Montanas , they farm pile of modest , six - petaled , one- to two - inch flowers in tones of white-hot to creamy blank .
C. marmorariais prostrate with Petroselinum crispum - alike foliage and spreads up three feet , making it ideal for rockery .
C.xcartmaniireaches a height of six metrical unit and can be trained onto treillage , but it really shine when allowed to shower , scramble , or cotton on over hold back and rock garden wall , from hanging baskets and window boxes , or as a earth cover .
‘ Avalanche , ’ ‘ Joe , ’ and ‘ Pixie ’ are popular cultivar . Hardy in Zones 7 to 9 , the Rockery plants are in Group 1 and require no annual pruning .
The Early Large - Flowered Group admit plants that flush on brusk stems ofoldgrowth from the previous year , producing unmarried to double , six- to 10 - inch flowers in mid- to late fountain .
After a abbreviated rest , they typically reduplicate bloom onnewgrowth in late summertime and fall .
extremity of this group give rise large , luxurious , and capable - faced flowers , and belong in the main to three Asian species : C. florida , C. lanuginosa , andC. patens .
color are lush and vibrant , and include shades of blue , burgundy , mauve , pinkish , over-embellished , and white . ontogeny is typically four to 12 substructure .
‘ Duchess of Edinburgh , ’ ‘ General Sikorski , ’ and ‘ Nelly Moser ’ are well - known cultivars . Hardy in Zones 4 to 11 , they belong to to Group 2 , the repeat bloomers , and require lop in early outflow and again in early summer .
The belated Large - Flowered group is profusely floriferous , producing heavily on new growth only . The lush , showy flower are exclusive , semi - duple , or double and measure five to eight inch , flowering from early summer into fall .
Cultivars and hybrids are principally from the Asian speciesC. florida , C. lanuginosa , andC. patens , and the star - form efflorescence drift in colouring material from down in the mouth , burgundy , and mauve to pink , purple , cerise , and white .
Plants farm six to 12 feet , and popular cultivars include ‘ Aotearoa , ’ ‘ Hagley Hybrid , ’ ‘ Jackmanii , ’ and ‘ Perle d’Azur . ’
Hardy in Zones 4 to 11 , the former Large - blossom types belong to Group 3 , the summertime or crepuscule bloomers . A hard pruning is require in other bounce .
The Herbaceous Group admit a number of low - develop , non - twining plants that are excellent for scramble through borders and beds , or used as solid ground covers .
Nodding , two- to three - in bell - shaped flowers often have twisted petal , and open up out or up in shadiness of blue , mauve , and pink .
The main species in this group areC. heracleifolia , C. integrifolia , C. rectum , C. stansand the hybridC.xdurandii . Flowers show from early summer into fall and develop pretty , silky seed heads after flower .
The industrial plant farm only 12 to 24 inches and spread three to 10 feet . member of the Herbaceous Group die back in later fall , losing their stems and foliage .
Well - known cultivars include ‘ Arabella , ’ ‘ Juuli , ’ and ‘ Rosea . ’ Hardy in Zones 4 to 11 , herbaceous clematis belong to to Group 3 . Cut back plants in fall or merely allow them to kick the bucket back on their own , and then rake up the debris .
member of the Viticella Group , C. viticella , are loved for their robust growth , easy attention , and beautiful , three- to five - column inch open - faced flower with broad , velvety petals that are often wrench or strut .
Free - flowering from early summer onwards , the blooms are single , semi - forked , or forked in nicety of pale puritanical , magenta , mauve , pinkish , and purpleness .
Silky , Pt come heads tot interest after unfolding , and vines make a matured meridian of 10 to 15 substructure .
‘ Blue Angel , ’ ‘ Etoile Violette , ’ and ‘ Little Nell ’ are well - known hybrid cultivars . Hardy in zona 4 to 11 , the Viticellas are in Group 3 and need a laborious pruning in early outpouring .
The Texensis Group include crossbreed and cultivar ofC. texensis , the scarlet leather flower , and feature attractive , one- to three - inch tulip - shaped flowers with four to six light turn petal in fiery shades of orange and red .
blossom extravagantly from midsummer to ice , the vigorous vines give a splashy display , clambering 10 to 15 feet with attractive blue - green foliage . Silky blond seed heads tally fall appeal .
Examples of Texensiscultivarsinclude ‘ Gravetye Beauty , ’ ‘ Princess Diana , ’ and ‘ Sir Trevor Lawrence . ’ Hardy in Zones 4 to 8 , these plant are in Group 3 and should be cut back hard in other bound .
The only group to propose a brilliant , vestal sensationalistic , plant in the Orientalis give a profuse display of small , nod flower from midsummer into downfall .
The flowers measure one to three in across with four to eight flower petal and hang like bright , shining lanterns .
Also make love as golden clematis , species includeC. orientalis , C. serratifolia , C. tangutica , andC. tibetana .
tight - growing and vigorous , the scramble vines are easy train and grow 15 to 20 feet . Pert , satiny seed header add interest throughout gloam and winter .
‘ Bill Mackenzie , ’ ‘ Golden Tiara , ’ and ‘ Kaska ’ are unspoiled examples of the arresting feature of the Orientalis Group . Hardy in Zones 4 to 11 , they belong to to Group 3 and should meet a arduous pruning in other spring .
The Late Mixed Group carry the late - flowering , and often heavily perfumed , species such asC. flammula(aka fragrant virgin ’s bower),C. mandshurica , C. potanini(old man ’s beard),C. recta(ground virgin ’s bower ) , andC. terniflora(sweet fall clematis ) .
Vigorous climbers and scrambler , the robust vines bloom from belated summer into autumn , producing masses of small , one- to two - inch efflorescence in creamy white , mauve , and pure white adopt by ornamental , silky seed heads .
Plants in this grouping arise between six and 30 feet , and most are hardy in Zones 5 to 9 , withC. mandshuricabeing hardy down to Zone 3 . All belong to Group 3 and demand a backbreaking pruning in belated wintertime or former outflow .
Beautiful Blooming Vines
sound , well - wield clematis make a striking , long - full term addition to the garden , provide weeks of colorful flush , attractive seed heads , and sometimes a sweet-scented perfume .
utilise the descriptions adumbrate here to get hold a mate for your mystery plants , compare blinking season , flower colors and sizes , peak orientation , growth habit , and vine size .
Once you hump the character of clematis you ’re raise , simply give them the charge and pruning needed for the growth and pruning groups they belong to – then enjoy beautiful , blooming vines for years to amount !
Formore clematis trace and tips , check out these pathfinder next :
Photo by Lorna Kring © call for the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more contingent . in the beginning bring out December 4th , 2021 . Last update April 22nd , 2025 . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Lorna Kring
