Clematis Viticella 'Purpurea Plena Elegans'

Clematis viticella needs a partially shaded location. These clematis don't like hot south-east or west facing walls! While they tolerate moderate to even poor soils, you'll want to give them rich, well-draining, composty soil. Ideally, the base of the plant should remain in shade and in a spot protected from wind. Plant the root ball about 10 cm below the surface. Keep a distance of 1.5 - 3 metres between individual plants. For available varieties, see the clematis viticella overview.

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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. Flower size: 3 – 4 cm and even larger in optimal soil conditions. Flowering time June to September / October. Each flower lasting up to 33 days (as seen at a clematis show, Dresden Pillnitz, 2005)! 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 toward 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 the following year. Hearty and resilient overall, susceptibility to mildew and clematis wilt is quite low.

Clematis viticella will need a support with a finer gauge, so with grid spaces 25 - 35 cm. The vertical axes should dominate (standing rectangles instead of squares). See the bottom of this page for suitable wire rope systems. Light versions are sufficient, but trellises in the medium range allow for optimal development.