Clematis
Also known as: Clematis · Italian Clematis · Virgin's Bower · Clematis viticella
15 types of clematis
Alpine Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis alpina, Alpine Virgin's Bower
Cold-hardy species with nodding blue-violet bell flowers in spring.
Blue Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis columbiana, Columbian Virgin's-bower, Rock Clematis
Rocky Mountain native with small blue flowers; thrives in well-drained sites.
Devil's Darning Needles
N/Aalso: Clematis virginiana, Virgin's Bower
Native North American vine with fragrant white flowers and showy silky seed heads.
Erect Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis recta, Ground Clematis, Ground Virginsbower
Shrubby, non-climbing species with clusters of small fragrant white flowers.
Erect Clematis Purpurea
N/Aalso: Clematis recta var. Purpurea, Ground Clematis, Ground Virginsbower
Purple-leaved form of erect clematis with smoky bronze foliage and white blooms.
Golden Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis tangutica, Golden Bell Clematis, Orange-peel Clematis
Vigorous vine with bright yellow lantern-shaped flowers and silky seed heads.
Hyacinth-flower Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis heracleifolia, Tube Clematis
Non-climbing herbaceous clematis with fragrant hyacinth-like blue blooms.
Italian Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis viticella, Italian Leather Flower
European species with nodding blue, purple, pink, or red summer flowers; many cultivars.
Korean Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis serratifolia, Yellow Clematis
Asian species with yellow, lantern-shaped nodding flowers.
Leatherleaf Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis terniflora var. mandshurica, Manshurian Clematis, Yam-leaved Clematis
Cold-hardy clematis with small white fragrant flowers and leathery leaves.
Old-man's Beard
N/Aalso: Clematis vitalba, Evergreen Clematis, Traveller's Joy
European vine with fluffy silver seed heads; can be invasive in some regions.
Purple Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis occidentalis, Western Blue Virginsbower
Woodland species with nodding purple-blue flowers; native to western North America.
Siberian Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis alpina var. Sibirica
Hardy alpine clematis variety with pale blue to white bell-shaped flowers.
Sweet Autumn Clematis
N/Aalso: Clematis paniculata
Late-summer and fall-blooming vine with masses of fragrant white flowers.
Western Virgin's Bower
N/Aalso: Clematis ligusticifolia, Western Clematis, Western Virgin's Bower, Western White Clematis, Yerba De Chiva
Fast-growing native vine with fragrant white flowers and fluffy seed heads.
When & where
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Stratify seed as noted. Sow in deep tree pots (tall root trainers) filled with well-drained mix. Keep evenly moist and in bright light after germination. Grow on for 1–2 seasons before planting out to a permanent, well-prepared site with a wide mulch ring.
Pre-sow treatment
90–180 days cold stratification; sow surface.
Grower's tip
Vining perennials with showy flowers; keep roots cool and tops in sun.
Woody plant facts
Good to know before you grow this
Can spread aggressively and is invasive in some regions — check your local invasive-species list before planting.
Soil preferences
Deep, well-drained native soil. Avoid amending the planting hole heavily — roots should learn to grow into the surrounding earth.
5.5–7.5 depending on species (conifers lean acidic; most hardwoods neutral).
Top-dress with compost and mulch in a wide ring; don't backfill with pure compost.
Watering
Deep soak weekly the first two years while roots establish; taper once the tree self-supports.
Slow trickle at the drip line, not the trunk. A 5-gal bucket with a pinhole is ideal.
Overwatered: yellowing, root rot, mushroom collar. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water only — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering is only for tree seedlings in nursery pots (shallow tray 15 min). Established trees always get watered from above onto the soil.
Temperature tolerance
Broad — most species tolerate 40–90°F once established
Down to species-rated USDA zone minimum
Hardy once established; young seedlings need protection their first winter.
Special germination requirements
Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
Deep tree pots (root trainers) for the first 1–2 seasons; permanent site required for full growth.
Only dwarf, patio, or bonsai forms live long-term in containers.
Detailed harvesting
Not applicable for ornamental/timber trees. Nut and fruit species — pick when they drop naturally.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Nuts: keep damp and cool, sow promptly. Winged/coned seed: dry, cool, dark in a sealed jar.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Shade, windbreak, wildlife habitat, timber, ornament, and long-term carbon storage.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Wind- or insect-pollinated; seedlings rarely match the parent exactly (especially named cultivars — those must be grafted or cutting-grown).
Not practical for trees. Expect variation.
Collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean, dry or keep damp per species, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for clematis in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Clematis notes
Clematis seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
Loading…