Clematis flowering time: when do these 9 clematis varieties bloom

Hardly any other plant is as versatile as the many different varieties of clematis. Because the clematis bloom in spring, summer or autumn. If the well-known hybrids and botanical species are cultivated together, a long flowering period can be guaranteed. Because the hybrids known to most hobby gardeners develop their large flowers between May and June. The less well-known botanical types of clematis have different flowering times in spring or autumn.

Different varieties of clematis

All hobby gardeners are familiar with the clematis hybrids, which develop particularly large flowers and bloom in summer between May and June. But there are also the botanical types of clematis, which often have smaller flowers and bloom at different times of the year. If you combine these cleverly, you can enjoy beautiful clematis blossoms in various shapes and colors from April to October. All varieties grow very quickly and can beautify a privacy screen or house wall. Some of the species require heavy pruning to develop full bloom, while others only require moderate pruning. Below is a list of beautiful clematis according to the different flowering times of each plant.

Note: All clematis varieties belong to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), which the following article will not go into individually again.

Early flowering clematis varieties

As soon as winter is over and the first warm temperatures can be expected, the blossoms of the early-flowering clematis appear in April and May. This flowering time is mainly due to the fact that these clematis varieties form the flowers on the shoots of the previous year. Therefore, these plants should not be cut in autumn, but if necessary, immediately after flowering. However, occasionally it canalso come to a rebloom in early autumn. Depending on the variety, the early flowering clematis are deciduous or evergreen. The location of the early bloomers should be as sheltered and sunny as possible, so a south wall with light shade is particularly suitable as a location for these clematis. But the strong-growing, early-flowering varieties are also popular on trees or pergolas. Thus, the following varieties belong to the early flowering clematis:

Alpen-Waldrebe (Clematis alpina)

  • Wild species from the Carpathians and Alps
  • blue-purple flowers
  • simply as bells
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • loamy and sandy soil
  • Soil always moist and fresh
  • lime tolerant
  • low nutrient requirements
  • humic soil
  • requires climbing aid

Berg-Waldrebe (Clematis montana)

  • native to China in the Himalayas
  • known as anemone clematis due to resemblance
  • pink and white flowers
  • single flower
  • summer green
  • sandy, loamy, fresh, moist soil
  • lime tolerant
  • high nutrient requirements
  • requires climbing aid
  • sunny to partially shaded location

Großblumige Waldrebe (Clematis macropetala)

  • Hybrid of different clematis species
  • single flowers up to 15 cm in size
  • pink or violet flowers
  • small variety
  • can bloom twice a year
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • moist, sandy and loamy soil
  • needs a lot of nutrients
  • lime tolerant
  • climbing aid required
Idea: In front of a wall, mix different clematis from the early to late bloomers, which all bloom at a different time. With different flowering times and colors of the flowers, you can set a long-lasting color accent from April to late autumn.

Summer flowering clematis

Among the summer-flowering clematis, which usually unfold their beautiful flowers in May and June, are the hybrids, which are eye-catching with their very large flowers. Hybrids are plants that have been created by breeding from different wild varieties. After the first flowering, the summer-flowering clematis often has a second flowering period in August to September. Summer flowering clematis prefer a semi-shaded location. The flowers are formed on last year’s side shoots, so care should be taken to leave these shoots intact when cutting. Summer flowering clematis cultivars are generally hardy but deciduous. Thus, summer flowering strains include the following:

Hybrid ‚Asao‘

  • Parentage, breeder is unknown
  • violet flowers
  • Flower size 10 to 12 cm
  • rich flowering
  • deciduous
  • semi-shady to shady location
  • fresh, well-drained humus-rich soil
  • can be cut back in March
  • alkaline soil preferred
Tip: As a rule, all clematis varieties prefer a location where the roots are mostly in the shade, but the rest of the plant is allowed to grow in the sun. Ideally, keep this in mind when cultivating. Mulch and ground cover can provide shade on the ground.

Hybrid ‚Nelly Moser‘

  • first mentioned in 1897
  • very well known hybrid
  • often available in hardware stores
  • pink-pink flowers
  • striped
  • up to 20 cm tall
  • wide open infructescence
  • deciduous
  • well-drained, humus-rich, fresh soil
  • suitable for alkaline soil

Hybrid ‚Wada’s Primerose‘

  • unknown parentage
  • Flower color white to cream
  • large flowers up to 16 cm
  • deciduous
  • humus rich, well drained soil
  • high nutrient requirements
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • requires climbing aid
Tip: Every clematis variety is also suitable for tub cultivation. So if you want to beautify a wall with the climbing plants on the terrace or balcony, this is quite possible if the variety is selected according to the site conditions.

Spätblühende Waldreben

The late-blooming clematis varieties develop their flowers mainly in early autumn and bloom until October and, depending on the weather and climate, even until November. The frost hardy varieties are all deciduous. A southerly direction is ideal as a location, even with light shade in front of a wall or on a pergola. It is important that the clematis are protected from the icy autumn winds during their flowering period. Otherwise the flower won’t last as long. Late flowering clematis suitable for the garden are the following:

Clematis vitalba (Clematis vitalba)

  • originally from western and central Europe, the Caucasus and the Orient
  • yellow and white flowers
  • small flowers grow on panicles
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • Soil clayey to sandy
  • fresh and slightly dry
  • high nutrient requirements
  • wants calcareous soil
  • requires climbing aid
  • summer green
Note: As a rule, the clematis varieties are flat-rooted. Therefore you should give the plants enough space in all directions, the depth is not so important.

Bellflower Clematis (Clematis campaniflora)

  • small, bell-shaped flowers
  • Flower color from white, ivory to lilac
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • gartenboden fumes
  • fresh and permeable
  • requires regular nutrient supplements
  • alkaline soil preferred
  • deciduous

Italian Clematis (Clematis viticella)

  • originally Mediterranean
  • purplish-purple, white, red, blue, or pink flowers
  • single cup flowers
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • sandy, moist and fresh soil
  • rich in humus
  • lime tolerant
  • needs a lot of nutrients
  • trellis preferred
Tip: If you place different clematis in front of an unsightly wall, also choose those that are evergreen. So you can let the shoots run between the deciduous ones and the wall is well hidden even in winter.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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