Range of Blossoms Makes Clematis a Fine Vine

Clematis is the perfect plant to clamber over a fence or an arbor. Some gardeners even let clematis ramble over living trees and shrubs.

Blossom colors range from white through red and blue, with all shades in between. Well into fall and winter the vines are festooned with seedpods of silky, grayish threads.

A very rampant-growing clematis is the sweet autumn variety, whose fragrant blossoms first appear in late summer. Its profusion of dainty, white blooms cover the vines like newly fallen snow.

Anemone clematis is another vigorous climber, growing 20 feet in a season and covered with medium-size, pink flowers early in the season.

Most clematis plants offered by nurseries are the Jackmanii hybrids, named for George Jackman, who introduced the first hybrids a century ago. The flowers are large, a half-foot or more in diameter, and come in colors such as lavender-blue, rose-pink, purplish-red as well as deep, rich reds and blues.

Downy clematis and golden clematis are two nice-looking species. The downy has lavender flowers through the summer and the golden bears yellow flowers in late summer.

Not all clematis are twining and vining. The so-called solitary clematis grows only 2 to 4 feet, with blue or white, nodding, urn-shaped flowers appearing from early to midsummer. It does need some type of support to keep it off the ground.

All types of clematis require similar care in the garden. They need rich, well-drained soil with a thick, organic mulch so their roots keep cool. Full sun is acceptable, but a bit of shade is better. Morning sun only is ideal.

Annual pruning is usually necessary. Cut to the ground those clematis that blossom early right after they finish flowering. Cut late flowering ones before growth begins in spring. Vines that flower all season need only light annual pruning.