Clematis viticella

Clematis viticella originates from southern Europe and western Asia as far as the Caucasus and Iran, and is one of the longest-cultivated clematis species: already present in England before 1569, the species was scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his Species Plantarum. To this day it remains the parent species of the entire Viticella Group, from which numerous well-known cultivars have been bred. Its nodding, bell-shaped flowers appear singly on the current year's growth, measure 4-5 cm across, are coloured blue-violet, and carry pale yellow to creamy stamens.

Clematis viticella flowers continuously from July to September, well after most large-flowered cultivars have finished. At around 300 cm, it makes an excellent climber for trellises, arbours and pergolas, and also happily scrambles through smaller trees, shrubs and roses. It thrives in sunny to semi-shaded positions – south-, north-, west- or east-facing alike – as long as the soil and root area stay cool and shaded, and makes only modest demands on soil and climate.

Clematis viticella is very hardy (zone 5, down to about -28 °C) and dies back naturally to the lower 30 to 80 cm of its stems over winter. As a pruning group 3 plant, cut it back hard to about 25 cm in March so it breaks vigorously and flowers abundantly in spring. It is markedly more resistant to the dreaded clematis wilt than large-flowered hybrids – one reason it also suits beginners and low-maintenance gardens.