Climber
Italian clematis
Clematis viticella
A vigorous deciduous climber with many purple flowers from summer into early autumn. It needs a support, moisture-retentive soil and hard annual pruning, but is generally robust and cold hardy.
- Size
- 2.5–4 m high · 1–1.5 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Very hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Provide a trellis, fence, pergola or host shrub; the plant does not support itself.
- The sap can irritate skin and plant material is harmful if eaten, so wear gloves when pruning.
Why choose it
- Flowers freely for a long period on the current season's growth.
- Can cover fences and pergolas or weave through sturdy shrubs.
- Viticella types are generally robust and less troublesome than many large-flowered clematis.
Care
- Cut the stems back hard in late winter or early spring.
- Keep the root area cool and the soil evenly moist but well drained.
- Guide and tie young shoots until they reach the support.