Great Clematis for New England
Regional Gardening, Best Clematis, New England Gardening
To see a clematis in full bloom is to understand why it is called the queen of flowering vines. As climbers, Clematis are unsurpassed in their long flowering presence, their rich diversity of flower shapes, their wide array of colors and tolerances in terms of exposure and climate. It is no wonder they are so popular! From tree huggers to container varieties, there is a Clematis for every garden and flowers for almost every month of the year!
Members of the Ranunculaceae family, they include more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids. They create year after year a ravishing colorful show in the
But which clematis will you choose?
Here is a list of clematis cultivars and varieties that will reward New England gardeners with exceptional floral displays, provided you respect their
- Ideally, Clematis prefer having their 'heads in the sun and their feet in the shade'. Keep the roots cool and shaded by other plants or add a layer of pebbles or flat stones at the base.
- Best floral performance and disease resistance is usually seen in south-facing positions.
Great Clematis for New England - Large-Flowered Clematis
Clematis 'Bees' Jubilee' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
A compact and very showy large-flowered variety, Clematis 'Bees' Jubilee' produces masses of plump, creamy pink flowers, up to 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), with a cerise central bar and prominent, creamy yellow stamens. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring and early summer, then in late summer and early fall. The flowers give way to attractive seed heads, adding further interest to the plant. The branches are clad with attractive mid-green leaves. Shade tolerant, this prolific and free-flowering clematis is ideal for scrambling through shrubs, such as rhododendrons or hydrangeas.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 13' (180cm - 3.9m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
Among the most popular and easy to grow, Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' is a lovely deciduous vine that produces masses of large, up to 6 in. wide (15 cm), shell pink flowers with a touch of lavender, contrasting with the creamy-yellow stamens. The 6-petaled blossoms, with slightly overlapping sepals, are wavy-edged and have a tendency to curl their tips under, giving them a rounded look. A timeless beauty, 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' has been a staple of the clematis trade for almost a century!
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Ernest Markham' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
A memorable sight when in blooms, Clematis 'Ernest Markham' is a deciduous vine that gets covered with a profusion of large, 4-6 in. (10-15 cm), vivid magenta flowers with blunt-tipped velvety petals and chocolate anthers. A gardener's favorite since its introduction in 1926! Blooming in mid-summer to early fall, this vigorous and extremely floriferous Clematis vine won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities. Excellent choice for trellis, it can be trained to climb a wall, fence, or arbor and is also well suited to containers
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' - 12' (3m - 3.6m) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Clematis 'General Sikorski' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Clematis 'General Sikorski' is a deciduous climber with large, mid-mauve blue flowers, 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), with a tinge of red in the center of each sepal and prominent creamy-yellow stamens. The flowers are followed by showy, fluffy silver seedheads, which add further interest to the plant. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring and early summer, then in late summer and early fall. Extremely floriferous, this hardy, large-flowered clematis is ideal for arbors, trellises, pergolas, and other garden structures. Excellent when grown with roses and shrubs.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' (90cm) |
Clematis 'Gipsy Queen' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
Introduced in 1877, Clematis 'Gipsy Queen' is a vigorous deciduous climber which gets covered with a profusion of large, 5-6 in. (12-14 cm), remarkably velvety, violet-purple flowers with dark red stamens. On the first opening, the blossoms can be an intense dark red, before rapidly changing to deep violet. Blooming from midsummer to early fall, this late-flowering clematis can make a memorable floral show, thanks to its abundant blossoms and depth of color. It is ideal to cover arbors or fences or trellises and is a lovely companion for white, pink, or apricot climbing roses.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' - 12' (3m - 3.6m) |
Spread | 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm) |
Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
Vigorous and versatile, Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid' is a compact, large-flowered variety that produces masses of large, up to 6 in. wide (15 cm), shell pink flowers with a touch of lavender, contrasting with the deep-red anthers. Blooming from early summer to early fall, 'Hagley Hybrid' is a reliable clematis cultivar that is ideal to brighten up a shady corner, where its elegant blooms will glow like pink stars against the dark green foliage. Free-flowering, this clematis is best trained on arbors, fences, or grown over or through small shrubs. Its compact size makes it an excellent addition to small gardens and containers too.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 7' - 10' (210cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Henryi' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Regarded as one of the biggest white clematis, Clematis 'Henryi' is a large, vigorous deciduous climber with huge, luminous, pure white flowers, 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), adorned with chocolate brown anthers. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring to early summer, then from midsummer to early fall. This showy large-flowered clematis is ideal for arbors, trellises, pergolas, and other garden structures. Excellent when grown into large shrubs needing summer interest.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 9' - 15' (270cm - 4.5m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Nelly Moser' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
One of the most popular Clematis ever, 'Nelly Moser' is a deciduous vine that gets covered with a profusion of impressively large star-shaped flowers, up to 8 in. (20 cm), with 8 pink-lilac sepals, each with a carmine stripe that fades in strong sun, and reddish-purple anthers. They give way to attractive globular seedheads. A gardener's favorite since its introduction in 1897! Why? Because it is extremely good-looking, dependable, easy to grow, strong, and adaptable to all sorts of garden uses. Blooming in late spring to early summer and late summer to early fall, this vigorous and extremely floriferous Clematis vine won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Clematis 'Niobe' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
An instant sensation since its introduction in 1975, Clematis 'Niobe' features large, velvety, deep ruby-red flowers, 6 in. across (15 cm), with contrasting butter-yellow anthers. The 6-8 sepals are broad at the base and taper towards the tips. They hold their color well all season. Flowering from late spring to early fall, this large-flowered clematis variety is ideal for small gardens, containers, arbors, and fences and looks terrific when combined with small to medium-sized shrubs.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' (90cm) |
Clematis 'Rouge Cardinal' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
Never failing to impress, Clematis 'Rouge Cardinal' is a vigorous large-flowered clematis variety that gets covered with a profusion of large, 4-6 in. (10-15 cm), glowing velvety crimson flowers, with elegantly recurving sepals, and contrasting creamy stamens. Flowering occurs from early-mid summer to early fall. Its foliage of trifoliate medium green leaves darkens as the summer progresses. This clematis is ideal to grow over fences, trellises, or through shrubs.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 12' (180cm - 3.6m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Great Clematis for New England - Small-Flowered Clematis
Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie' (Tangutica Group)
Regarded as the best Tangutica cultivar, award-winning Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie' is a large, vigorous deciduous climber with masses of small, nodding, lantern-shaped flowers, 2-3 in. across (6-7 cm). Each bloom boasts four slightly glossy, bright yellow tepals which gradually open out wide, revealing a contrasting boss of dark stamens. They are followed by very ornamental, silky seedheads, which gleam in the sun and remain on the plant. They combine with the next wave of blooms and give the plant an interesting fluffy look. Blooming from midsummer to fall, this small-flowered clematis makes a very effective screen and is ideal to cover tall fences, arbors, or unsightly buildings. Lovely when sprawling through large shrubs.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.5m) |
Spread | 10' - 12' (3m - 3.6m) |
Clematis 'Elizabeth' (Montana Group)
Sweetly scented, Clematis 'Elizabeth' is a very large deciduous climber with charming, single, pale pink flowers adorned with a satin sheen, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm), from late spring to early summer. The blossoms are so profuse that they generally cover the foliage of ternate, mid-green leaves, emerging bronze. Opening from pointed, mauve-pink buds, the flowers bear 4 broad petals, strong mauve-pink at first, then slightly fading in their center as the flowers mature. Their delightful fragrance fills the air as you pass by. A long-time favorite, this vigorous and extremely floriferous vine is perfect for covering a wall, trellis, fence, or arbor. Plant it near an entrance or path where the lovely fragrance can be enjoyed.
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My CollectionHardiness | 6 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 30' - 40' (9m - 12m) |
Spread | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
Clematis 'Etoile Violette' (Viticella Group)
Bred in 1885, Clematis 'Etoile Violette' is one of the long-established favorites. This outstanding deciduous vine produces masses of small, nodding, dark violet-purple flowers, up to 4 in. wide (10 cm), with a creamy boss of stamens. Each flower bears 4 to 6 broad, velvety petals that are well-spaced. You will see very little of its fresh green foliage once the plant gets into bloom, so great is the outpouring of purple flowers! 'Etoile Violette' is a member of the small-flowered 'summer' Clematis called 'Viticella', a group including strong vines, easy to grow, amenable to training early in the season, with profuse flowering over a long period.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 10' - 15' (3m - 4.5m) |
Spread | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Clematis 'Huldine' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
A truly remarkable clematis, Clematis 'Huldine' is a very large deciduous climber with luminous, translucent, pearly-white flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), adorned with six gracefully arching sepals which show off their ornamental pinkish-mauve central bars along their undersides. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, this vigorous and extremely floriferous clematis is an excellent choice for trellises and can be trained to climb a wall, fence, or arbor. Combines beautifully with other climbers such as climbing roses. Great as a flowering groundcover too!
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' - 12' (3m - 3.6m) |
Spread | 6' (180cm) |
Clematis 'Markham's Pink' (Atragene Group)
A ravishing and early-flowering Clematis hybrid, 'Markham's Pink' is a deciduous climber with double, cotton-candy pink flowers, 3-4 in. across (7-10 cm), adorned with 4 slender sepals surrounding a boss of paler staminodes and creamy-yellow stamens. The undersides of the sepals are darker than their interior, adding depth and beauty to the floral display. Blooming in mid to late spring, the flowers are followed by very ornamental, fluffy, silvery seedheads, which remain on the plant throughout the summer and fall, adding further interest. Vigorous and prolific, this small-flowered clematis is a great choice as a groundcover and looks ravishing cascading over a pergola, wall or garden fence. Lovely when sprawling through large shrubs too.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Height | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' is one of the best blue clematis with its large, sky blue flowers, about 4" wide (10 cm), flushed purple with a touch of pink near the base of each petal, and light green stamens. Blooming over a long period, this vigorous and extremely floriferous vine has won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' - 12' (3m - 3.6m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Polish Spirit' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
A truly remarkable clematis, Clematis 'Polish Spirit' is a free flowering large-flowered clematis with saucer-shaped, velvety, rich violet-purple flowers, 3 in. across (9 cm), adorned with lighter central bars, and greenish-white and purplish stamens. Blooming from midsummer to early fall, this vigorous and extremely floriferous clematis has a healthy, robust presentation and a good resistance to clematis wilt. This is an excellent choice for trellises and can be trained to climb a wall, fence or arbor. Combines beautifully with other climbers such as climbing roses. Great with golden conifers or shrubs with golden leaves.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 10' - 13' (3m - 3.9m) |
Spread | 6' (180cm) |
Clematis 'Venosa Violacea' (Viticella Group)
Bred in 1883, award-winning Clematis 'Venosa Violacea' is one of the long-established favorites. This particularly elegant deciduous vine produces a profusion of deep velvety purple flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), with a prominent white stripe and purple stamens. Each flower bears 5-6 sepals, which unfurl in a boat shape, before flattening and developing their unique coloration. Their white base color is infused by the violet veins (venosa violacea) which merge into solid purple along the edges. The purple anthers with white pollen complete the dazzling combination. Blooming from midsummer to early fall, this vigorous and floriferous clematis is sturdy, adaptable, durable, and resistant to Clematis wilt.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 13' (180cm - 3.9m) |
Spread | 4' (120cm) |
Clematis alpina 'Pamela Jackman' (Atragene Group)
One of the first clematis to bloom in the spring, Clematis alpina 'Pamela Jackman' is a deciduous climber with masses of nodding, deep blue flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), adorned with white stamens. Dangling in the wind, the flowers open from narrow, pointed buds. As their sepals unfurl, they gradually rise from bell to flat or gracefully reflexed, revealing the white inner skirt. It is a charming progression from bud to flower. Blooming from mid to late spring, and occasionally in late summer, the flowers contrast attractively with the divided lime green leaves. They are followed by very ornamental, fluffy, silvery seedheads, which remain on the plant, adding further interest.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Late) |
Height | 9' - 12' (270cm - 3.6m) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Clematis montana var. grandiflora (Montana Group)
Glistening and shining like stars in the sunlight, award-winning Clematis montana var. grandiflora is a very large deciduous climber with single, pristine white flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), adorned with bright yellow centers. Blooming from late spring to early summer, and occasionally later, the blooms are so profuse that they generally cover the trifoliate, dark green leaves. Slightly fragrant, this vigorous vine is perfect for covering a wall, trellis, fence or pergola.
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My CollectionHardiness | 6 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 25' - 40' (7.5m - 12m) |
Spread | 25' - 40' (7.5m - 12m) |
Clematis montana var. rubens 'Pink Perfection' (Montana Group)
Sweetly scented, Clematis montana var. rubens 'Pink Perfection' is a very large deciduous climber with charming, single pink flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), from late spring to early summer. The blossoms are so profuse that they generally cover the large bronze-green leaves. The flowers are not as large or flashy as those featured by other Clematis family members, but they are full of charm with their 4 rounded petals, opening pale mauve-pink, then slightly fading as the flowers mature. Their delightful fragrance fills the air as you pass by. This vigorous and extremely floriferous vine is perfect for covering a wall, trellis, fence, or arbor.
Add to Any Collection
My CollectionHardiness | 6 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 25' - 35' (7.5m - 10.5m) |
Spread | 6' - 15' (180cm - 4.5m) |
Guide Information
Plant Type | Climbers |
---|---|
Plant Family | Clematis |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences |
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Plant Type | Climbers |
---|---|
Plant Family | Clematis |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences |
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