Clematis viticella

RHS Plant Profile
purple clematis

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purple clematis RHS
Climber Wall Shrub
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A vigorous, deciduous climber to about 5m tall, with mid-green leaves composed of two or three lobed leaflets, and single, open bell-shaped flowers 4cm across, with four broad purple or violet-blue tepals and creamy-yellow anthers in summer and early autumn on the current seasons stems

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
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
Correct
Plant Range
S Europe, W Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Tolerant of a range of garden soils but best grown in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. Plant with the root ball 5- 8cm (2-3in) below the soil surface to encourage new shoots from below soil level. See clematis cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Root softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer. Propagate by layering in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning (Clematis) Group 3

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails and voles may damage young shoots and cut through young stems. Aphids may attack young growth.

Diseases

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