Clematis 'Venosa Violacea'
We grow Clematis 'Venosa Violacea' in the Shrub Rose Garden, where its purple petals, suffused with dark red at the tips, harmonise perfectly with Rosa William Shakespeare 2000 (‘Ausromeo’) and Rosa Falstaff ('Ausverse').
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Clematis 'Venosa Violacea'
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height & spread
- 3m (10ft) by 1m (3ft)
- Form
- Deciduous climber
- Soil
- Well-drained fertile soil.
- Aspect
- Full sun or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Hardy throughout the British Isles
Clematis
There are around 300 species of deciduous or evergreen semi-woody to woody, sprawling climbers or woody based perennials in this genus, and more than 400 cultivars currently in cultivation.
Clematis originate from the northern and southern hemispheres including Europe, China, Australasia, North America and Central America. They have been long cultivated in Japan, and have been cultivated in Europe since the 16th century. The name is derived from the Greek 'klematis', a name used to refer to several climbing plants.
The genus is quite diverse ranging from short growing herbaceous perennials, scandent or trailing shrubs, and climbers reaching 10-15m (30-50ft) in height.
Climbing species attach to host plants or supporting structures by use of their leaf stalks. They are grown for their abundant flowers, often followed by grey seed heads.
Use climbing species to clothe a wall, arbour, trellis or pergola. They can also be grown over large shrubs or small trees.
Clematis 'Venosa Violacea'
Clematis ‘Venosa Violcea’ is a Viticella type clematis, meaning it flowers later in the year and is a smaller-flowered climber. Its single, saucer-shaped flowers are white with purple veins, about 8-10cm across, and with blue-black anthers in the middle. The name ‘Venosa Violacea’ means 'violet veins'.
Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, with the roots and base of the plant in shade.
- Herbaceous species prefer full sun. Mulch all clematis in late winter with garden compost or well-rotted manure avoiding the crown.
- Plant climbing clematis with the top of the rootball about 8cm (3in) below the soil surface to reduce risk of clematis wilt. After planting cut back top growth of deciduous climbers to a strong pair of buds about 30cm (12in) above soil level. Provide strong support and tie in initially.
- Clematis are generally free from pests, but a build up of aphids in spring could harm new growth.
Propagation
- All clematis species can be successfully propagated from seed, which should be sown soon after harvesting to ensure good germination.
- Cultivars should be reproduced from layering, cuttings or possibly from grafting.