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Climber Wall ShrubSynonym

Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

clematis 'Freckles'

A large evergreen climber about 3.5m tall, with divided, lobed and toothed glossy dark green leaves tinged bronze in winter. Single, large, pale yellow flowers to 10cm in width, heavily speckled red within, during late autumn, winter and early spring, followed by silky seedheads

Synonyms
Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles'
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Red Green
Summer Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green
Winter Yellow Red Green Bronze
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
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
Cirrhosa Group clematis are evergreen woody climbers with bell to bowl-shaped single flowers, produced from late autumn to early spring on the previous year's growth

How to grow

Cultivation

A cultivar for a warm, sheltered position, it thrives in any fertile, well-drained soil and plant with the crown at soil level. Keep the base shaded and cool by the careful positioning of plants. In cold areas, grow in a container and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See clematis cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in early summer or propagate by layering in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning (Clematis) Group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, snails and caterpillars; petals may be eaten by earwigs

Diseases

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

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