Clematis alpina (alpine clematis) & Atragene varieties

early-flowering clematis from April. Hardy, ideal for north & east-facing walls

besides the alpine clematis (Clematis alpina), Clematis Macropetala & Koreana in particular are among the wild species that flower abundantly from April

Clematis atragene group (Clematis alpina): Woody climbers that flower in spring on old wood and later in the year on new shoots. Foliage in three parts or twice in three parts. Nodding, bell-shaped flowers 4-10 cm across. 4 tepals in white, yellow, pink, red-purple, blue, violet-blue or purple-violet. The outer stamens are reduced to staminodes, much shorter than the tepals.
Origin: The varieties are rooted in the botanical section Atragene, which includes, besides other early-flowering wild species, above all Clematis alpina and Clematis macropetala.
Use: Useful as a climbing plant, especially on north and east-facing walls. Flowering stems can be used in arrangements. The seed heads stay on for a long time and are suitable, for example, for small buttonhole posies.
Pruning: Only if necessary, after flowering.
Resistance: Susceptible to fungal diseases in waterlogged conditions, especially in winter. Some shoots may die back; new growth from the base follows quite reliably.
Hardiness zone: 5, very frost-hardy in Germany.
Planting depth: As in the pot, do not plant deeply.

All early wild species belong to pruning group 1, so they should only be pruned after flowering if needed. In terms of care, all Cl. atragene are very similar; they prefer good drainage. Many of the varieties flower very richly once in April and May, with a light second flowering in summer and autumn, and are appreciated by bees and bumblebees.

Further division of the spring-flowering clematis

The Atragene group includes further species; the group to which each variety belongs can be seen from its botanical name.

The most important of these are:

Clematis alpina / alpine clematis

Characteristic of the alpine clematis are single, hanging flowers, which may also be half open, and attractive white stamens. Clematis alpina are trouble-free in harsh locations, but you can also enjoy their abundance of flowers outside the alpine zones. They like best to stand in the shade, in a well-ventilated spot. A position in full sun should be avoided.

Alpine clematis flower in late spring, often profusely as early as mid-April. The water at the site should drain well and must never stand, but should still be available in sufficient quantity.

Most varieties of Cl. alpina bear pretty stamens; some have a light second flowering in late summer and early autumn.

Clematis macropetala

Numerous further varieties of Clematis macropetala descend directly or indirectly from the wild species of the large-flowered clematis.

Large-flowered must absolutely be seen in comparison with the other early-flowering wild clematis to which these are closely related, but by no means with the clematis hybrids from the Patens group which can produce considerably larger and more colourful flowers.

Compared with the alpine clematis, varieties that can be assigned to Clematis macropetala flower somewhat later and also tolerate sunnier positions.

Clematis alpina & atragene (alpine clematis): 72 varieties buy online

Clematis 'Albert'

Growth height: approx. 300 cm
Bloom size: approx. 7 cm
Flowering season: April to May
Shipping: 2 l pot, currently unavailable