General Information on Clematis Viticella

Clematis viticella is actually only *one* species which has been developed into many different cultivars over centuries. They are loved for their graceful flowers and long flowering period. Clematis viticella is one of the healthiest clematis and is therefore suitable for façade greening -- it grows up to a 5 metres in height. Many cultivars and breeds have emerged that are close to the wild clematis. These clematis viticella close to the wild form should not be confused with the group of clematis viticella hybrids, which have an ancestor viticella but are further from the wild viticella than the clematis described here. Clematis viticella are excellent partners for climbing roses!

Varieties available: see Overview

Wild form of clematis viticella

Requirements / Price

Choose a partially shaded location. Clematis viticella don't like hot south-east or west facing walls! Soil should be fresh, humus-rich, and well drained. Ideally, the base of the plant should remain in shade and in a spot protected from high wind. When planting, the roots should be positioned 10 cm under the surface. Keep a distance of 1 - 3 metres between individual plants. For available varieties, see the clematis viticella overview.

Characteristics and Pruning

Clematis viticella are leaf tendril (petiole) climbers, frost-resistant, and perennial. They grow with moderate vigour, with foliage from May to October, up to about 5 metres in height and often just as wide. Older plants can cover large areas with their dense vegetation. The flowering is very long and even the seed capsules are beautiful... but, wilted leaves won't detach by themselves and need to be cut towards the end of the year (autumn). This pruning is done according to "pruning group 3" -- cut down to 20 - 100 cm above the ground, depending on the height the plant should reach next year. Susceptibility to mildew and clematis wilt is rather low.

Climbing Aids (Cable Systems) for the Facade

Clematis viticella will need a trellis with a close (tight) arrangement, such as a 25 - 35 cm grid, that is vertically oriented (standing rectangles instead of squares). See the bottom of the page for suitable trellis designs. Light versions are sufficient, but trellises in the medium range allow for optimal development.