Pretty Clematis for Small Gardens
Best Clematis, Small Gardens, Balconies
As climbers, Clematis are unsurpassed in their long flowering presence, their rich diversity of flower shapes, and 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, Clematis include more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids. The spectacular diversity of flower colors, sizes, and forms will astound you. Ranging from glorious shades of red, purple, and blue to yellow and white, the flowers can be less than 1 in. wide (2.5 cm) to over 6 in. across (15 cm). Single or double, the blooms can be urn-shaped, bell-shaped, star-shaped or tubular-shaped. As an added bonus, some are delightfully fragrant.
Many Clematis varieties make terrific container plants and can be grown on large balconies. They are well suited to small gardens too. Here is a list of pretty Clematis that will reward you with their elegant blooms from early spring to late summer.
Pretty Clematis for Small Gardens
Clematis 'Alaina' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Very free-flowering, Clematis 'Alaina' produces masses of plump, pink flowers, up to 6 in. across (15 cm), with pointed to rounded petals. Opening rich rose, the six broad sepals gradually fade to bubblegum pink but remain adorned by darker midribs. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring or early summer, then in late summer and early fall. Shade tolerant, the compact habit of this large-flowered clematis makes it ideal for small gardens or containers. Pair it with floribunda roses for great combinations.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
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Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 2' (60cm) |
Clematis 'Asao' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
One of the earliest large-flowered clematis to bloom, award-winning Clematis 'Asao' produces masses of bold, bright pink flowers, up to 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), adorned with white central bars and yellow stamens. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring to early summer, then in late summer and early fall. The flowers give way to attractive seed heads. Shade tolerant, the compact habit of this large-flowered clematis makes it ideal for small gardens and containers.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 7' - 10' (210cm - 3m) |
Spread | 2' (60cm) |
Clematis 'Bourbon' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
A compact, early, large-flowered clematis to bloom, Clematis 'Bourbon' produces masses of large, bright raspberry red flowers, up to 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm), adorned with paler pink bars and yellow stamens. Flowering occurs from late spring or early summer to fall. Branches are clad with attractive dark green leaves. Sun or shade tolerant, the compact habit of this large-flowered clematis makes it ideal for small gardens and containers. Excellent when combined with roses.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm) |
Spread | 2' (60cm) |
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 'Crystal Fountain' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Free-flowering, Clematis 'Crystal Fountain' produces masses of stunning violet-blue, semi-double flowers, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), adorned with a fountain-like center packed with silvery-mauve petaloid stamens. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring to early summer, then in late summer to early fall. When the outer sepals fall away, the flowers still add interest with their tuft of silvery-mauve petaloids left. The branches are clad with attractive, mid-green ovate leaves. Shade tolerant, this compact, large-flowered clematis is ideal for small gardens, and containers and looks terrific when combined with small shrubs with golden foliage
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 4' - 7' (120cm - 210cm) |
Spread | 4' (120cm) |
Clematis 'Diamantina' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Incredibly glamorous, Clematis 'Diamantina' is a deciduous climber which produces a profusion of stunning purple-blue, double flowers, 6 in. across (15 cm), adorned with rosy-pink highlights. The blooms gracefully unfurl from a tight central ball to create an elegant, multi-layered pom-pom. Each flower lasts up to 4 weeks. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring to mid-summer, then in late summer to early fall. This compact, large-flowered clematis is ideal for small gardens, and containers and looks terrific when combined with small shrubs with golden or variegated foliage
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Fleuri' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Compact and prolific, Clematis 'Fleuri' features large, rich violet-purple flowers, up to 5 in. (12 cm), adorned with elegant magenta central stripes and ruffled edges. Blooming from late spring through most of the summer, this eye-catching clematis is a great choice for containers, small patios, or left to meander through shrubs. Ideal for small gardens!
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 10 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 2' (60cm) |
Clematis 'Fond Memories' (Late Large-Flowered Clematis)
Very free-flowering, Clematis 'Fond Memories' produces an abundance of fabulously elegant flowers with pale creamy-white sepals delicately edged with a pencil line of deep rosy lavender. Adorned with deep red-purple anthers, the huge flowers, up to 7 in. across (18 cm), have a charming satin sheen. The undersides of the unfurling sepals are a very deep rosy lavender, providing additional complimentary details. Flowering over a long period from early summer to early autumn, this large-flowered clematis is ideal for scrambling through shrubs or covering trellises, arbors, pergolas, and walls. Great for containers too!
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My CollectionHardiness | 6 - 10 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Guernsey Cream' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
A magnificent large-flowered variety, Clematis 'Guernsey Cream' produces such an abundance of luminous flowers, 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm), that they cover the foliage entirely. Opening pale yellow, the rounded, overlapping petals are adorned with pale chartreuse central bars. As the blooms mature, they fade to creamy white and contrast pleasantly with the prominent yellow anthers. The flowers are followed by large, showy 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. Reliable and vigorous, this clematis is ideal for arbors, trellises, pergolas, and other garden structures.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 10 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' (90cm) |
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 'Josephine' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Regarded as one of the best pink double clematis, 'Josephine' is a vigorous large-flowered clematis with particularly attractive blooms, 5 in. wide (12 cm). Resembling dahlias, the flamboyant flowers count up to 8 broad creamy-green and pinkish-mauve outer sepals, adorned with a dark pink center stripe. They surround a rosette of small inner ones of similar coloring. Flowering from late spring through most of the summer, the individual flowers last for up to 4 weeks. When the outer sepals fall away, the flowers still add interest with their central pompom left. This graceful clematis is perfect for meandering over fences, trellises, pergolas, or free-standing shrubs. Also ideal for growing in a container near the patio when the elegant beauty of its flowers can be admired.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 7' - 8' (210cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Multi Blue' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Incredibly glamorous, Clematis 'Multi Blue' is a deciduous climber which produces a profusion of stunning deep blue, double flowers, 4-5 in. across (10-15 cm). As the exquisite blooms mature, their silvery-blue central tepals gradually expand, creating a delightful multi-layered flower. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring to early summer, then in late summer to early fall. This compact, large-flowered clematis is ideal for small gardens, and containers and looks terrific when combined with medium size shrubs with golden or variegated foliage. Perfect as a climber along trellis, arbors, and fences too.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Piilu' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Regarded by many as one of the best clematis for containers ever, 'Piilu' is a vigorous large-flowered clematis of great interest. The first flush of flowers in late spring are usually double or semi-double with the second in late summer being single. The flowers, 3-4 in. across (7-10 cm), are pale mauve-pink, each sepal with a broad rose bar paling towards their ruffled edges. They surround and pleasantly contrast with a central boss of creamy-white to pale yellow anthers.'Piilu' is also noted for being one of the heaviest blooming Clematis. In cooler climates, this plant blooms non-stop from late spring through early fall. Freely produced, the flowers are so profuse that they literally obscure the foliage.
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My CollectionHardiness | 3 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Pink Champagne' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Clematis 'Pink Champagne' produces masses of deep rose pink flowers, 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), with short-pointed, overlapping sepals. Adorned with an elegant upward ripple along their edges, the sepals display a luminous grayish-lavender central bar and surround a contrasting tuft of upstanding yellow anthers. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring to early summer, then from midsummer to early fall. The blossoms on this cultivar vary from plant to plant, ranging from rose-pink to rose-purple, depending on soil conditions and sun exposure. They are followed by an attractive crop of ornamental seedheads. The compact habit of this large-flowered clematis makes it ideal for small gardens or containers.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 11 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Clematis 'Rebecca' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Regarded by many as one of the best red clematis ever produced, Clematis 'Rebecca' produces an abundance of large, velvety, deep vibrant red flowers, up to 5-7 in. across (12-18 cm), adorned with a wispy boss of creamy-yellow stamens at their center. The stamens are unique in having red connectives, a delicate touch from the breeder, Raymond Evison. The broad, overlapping petals have gently ruffled edges and their velvet sheen lasts almost as long as the flower itself. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring or early summer, then in late summer and early fall. This large-flowered clematis is so prolific that the magnificent blooms nearly conceal the green foliage. Compact, it is ideal for containers and small gardens. Excellent when grown into small shrubs.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 2' (60cm) |
Clematis 'Rhapsody' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Clematis 'Rhapsody' is a compact deciduous climber with large, sapphire blue flowers, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), whose color intensity increases as they age. Each bloom bears 6 broad, pointed sepals, sometimes slightly paler along their midribs, which contrast nicely with the creamy-yellow stamens. Blooming from early summer to early fall, this hardy, large-flowered clematis is ideal for containers and small gardens. Excellent when grown into small shrubs and roses.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Clematis 'Rosemoor' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Repeat-flowering over a long season, Clematis 'Rosemoor' is a compact deciduous climber with large, purplish-red flowers, 6 in. across (15 cm), with contrasting yellow stamens. The color does not fade and keeps its splendid depth over time. Blooming almost non-stop from late spring or early summer to early fall, this hardy, large-flowered clematis is ideal for containers and small gardens. Excellent when grown into small shrubs and roses.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Clematis 'Rüütel' (Early Large-Flowered Clematis)
Clematis 'Ruutel' features an abundance of large, velvety, deep red flowers, up to 7 in. across (18 cm), and similarly colored stamens in their center. Even after the pollen is shed and the dark reddish-brown anthers lose their color, the connectives are still red, maintaining an impressive depth of color through a long period of fading down. The 4-8 sepals are narrow but have charming ruffled edges. Flowering comes in two waves: first in late spring or early summer, then in late summer and early fall. The foliage of mid-green ternate leaves holds up well all season. Compact, this large-flowered clematis is ideal for containers and small gardens. Excellent when grown into small shrubs. 'Ruutel' means 'knight' in Estonian.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 10 |
---|---|
Exposure | Full Sun , Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Late) Fall |
Height | 3' - 10' (90cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Guide Information
Hardiness |
4 - 11
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers |
Plant Family | Clematis |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Small Gardens |
afeimages / 123RF Stock Photo
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
Hardiness |
4 - 11
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers |
Plant Family | Clematis |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Small Gardens |
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