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Herbaceous Perennial

Clematis recta 'Velvet Night' (F)

ground clematis 'Velvet Night'

A clump-forming, herbaceous perennial, to 2m high, with dark grey-green leaves that are flushed dark purple when young. Small, fragrant, starry white flowers are produced in mid to late summer

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (rabbits): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Clematis can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or herbaceous perennials, mostly climbing by twining leaf-stalks, and often with showy flowers. Some have attractive fluffy seedheads in autumn
Name status: Accepted
Horticultural Group: Flammula Group clematis can be vigorous deciduous climbers or herbaceous perennials; the small star-shaped flowers open in summer and autumn, and are usually fragrant, followed by silky seed heads

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in a moisture-retentive, well-drained soil; will tolerate part shade but leaf colour is best in full sun. Stems need support, see staking perennials. Ideal for a border where it can be supported by other plants. See clematis cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by division, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning (clematis) group 3. Prune as other herbaceous perennials, cutting back to ground level just before growth starts in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids. Cutworms and voles may cut young stems

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux

Get involved

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