Clematis

Clematis Paniculata – Best Plants in New Zealand!

Growing colourful climbers such as Clematis paniculata in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They can be used to provide shade, screening, and shelter.
• They attract birds.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the largest variety of Clematis plants, and the right one for your space. These have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Clematis, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Clematis Questions

1. What is the best month to plant Clematis?

In temperate climates such as NZ, the best time to plant clematis is in the spring. This is when the soil is cool and moist, which is ideal for root establishment ahead of summer.

2. When can you buy Clematis?

You can buy clematis year-round from The Plant Company. We source from multiple wholesalers and produce plants ourselves, so stock is generally available.

3. What is the easiest Clematis to grow?

The easiest clematis to grow is the Viticella group. These clematis are known for their hardiness, resistance to disease, and long flowering period. They are also relatively low-maintenance and can be grown in a variety of climates and soil conditions.

Here are some of the most popular and easy-to-grow Viticella clematis cultivars:

• Clematis 'Madame Julia Correvon' is a vigorous climber with stunning white flowers with a hint of pink.
• Clematis 'Ville de Lyon' is a fast-growing clematis with deep purple flowers.
• Clematis 'Gipsy Queen' is a vigorous climber with large, velvety red flowers.
• Clematis 'Etoile Violette' is a compact clematis with violet-blue flowers.
• Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid' is a versatile clematis that can be grown as a climber or a shrub. It has large, pink flowers with white centres.

4. How to care for Clematis

Clematis are relatively easy to care for. They require full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Feed them monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.

5. How to prune Viticella Clematis

Pruning Clematis usually involves cutting them back to 30 cm above ground levels during late winter or early spring. This will encourage new growth and prolific flowering.

6. Does Clematis grow fast?

Clematis are regarded as fast-growing vines. Once established, they can grow metres in a year. Some varieties can even grow up to 6 metres in a single year! However, the growth rate of Clematis varies depending on the climate, soil, and sunlight. In warmer climates with well-drained soil and full sun exposure, Clematis are likely to grow faster. In cooler climates or in partial shade, they will grow slower.

Another factor affecting the growth rate of clematis is the varieity. For example, the Viticella group of Clematis are known for their fast growth rate.

7. Do Clematis like full sun or shade?

Most clematis prefer full sun, but some varieties can tolerate partial shade. In general, the more sun a clematis receives, the more flowers it will produce. However, it is important to note that clematis do not like hot roots, so it is important to mulch around the plants to keep the roots cool.

If you are planting a clematis in partial shade, it is important to choose a variety that is known to be shade-tolerant. Some good options include:

• Clematis alpina
• Clematis montana
• Clematis macropetala
• Clematis paniculata
• Clematis tangutica

When planting a clematis in partial shade, it is also important to make sure that the plant receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. This will ensure that the plant gets enough sunlight to produce flowers.

8. Is there a clematis that blooms all season?

While no Clematis will literally bloom all season long, there are quite a few cultivars that offer extended flowering. To achieve the longest possible flowering, you can combine different types of clematis:

Early flowering Clematis:

• Clematis alpina: These charming clematis boast star-shaped, purple flowers in late winter or early spring. They thrive in cool climates and require minimal pruning.
• Clematis macropetala: Featuring large, bell-shaped blooms in various colours like violet, blue, and white, these beauties flower in late spring to early summer. They also require minimal pruning.
• Clematis montana: Renowned for their abundance of small, star-shaped flowers in white or pink, these vigorous climbers bloom prolifically in late spring to early summer. They are generally considered no-prune clematis.

Mid-season Clematis:

• Clematis viticella: These versatile clematis offer a wide range of colours, including purple, red, and blue, and bloom from early to mid-summer. Some varieties even rebloom in late summer or autumn. They require light pruning after flowering.
• Clematis tangutica: Known for their lantern-shaped, yellow flowers, these clematis bloom profusely in late spring to early summer. They are relatively easy to care for and require light pruning after flowering.
• Clematis jackmanii: This popular group boasts large, showy flowers in various colours and blooms from mid-summer to early autumn. They require moderate pruning after the first flush of flowers.

Late bloomers:

• Clematis integrifolia: These unique clematis feature star-shaped, blue flowers that bloom continuously from late spring to autumn. They are relatively low-maintenance and require minimal pruning.
• Clematis texensis: This heat-tolerant clematis produces bell-shaped flowers in purple, violet, or white from mid-summer to autumn. They require light pruning after flowering.
• Clematis aristata: This late-blooming beauty boasts fragrant, white flowers that appear from late summer to autumn. They require minimal pruning.

By combining early, mid-season, and late-blooming clematis, you can create a stunning display of colour and fragrance in your garden that stretches throughout the growing season. Remember to choose varieties that are suitable for your climate and growing conditions. With proper care, your clematis will reward you with a long season of beautiful blooms.

9. What is the best clematis for repeat flowering?

Determining the "best" clematis for repeat flowering depends on your specific preferences and growing conditions. However, several varieties do standout:

• Duchess of Edinburgh: This fully double, violet-blue beauty can bloom up to three times in a season – early summer, late summer, and autumn. It thrives in full sun and requires moderate pruning after the first flush.
• Niobe: This stunning clematis boasts vibrant red flowers that bloom in early summer and can rebloom in late summer if deadheaded diligently. It prefers full sun and moderate pruning after the first flush.
• Crystal Fountain: This graceful clematis offers cascading sprays of lavender-blue flowers from late spring to early autumn, with potential for sporadic blooms throughout the season. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and requires minimal pruning.
• Huldine: This unique clematis produces creamy-white, star-shaped flowers continuously from late spring to autumn. It tolerates partial shade and requires minimal pruning.
• Silver Moon: This elegant clematis features large, silvery-blue flowers that bloom from late summer to autumn. It tolerates partial shade and requires minimal pruning.

10. Does clematis grow fast?

The growth rate of clematis varies depending on several factors, but as a general guide:

• Large-flowered hybrids are typically considered the fastest-growing, reaching several metres per year once established. Some varieties can even grow up to six metres in a single season!
• Small-flowered species tend to be slower-growing, usually reaching 1-2 metres in a year.
• Herbaceous clematis: These die back to the ground each winter and typically grow one metre in a season.

11. What is the best clematis for beginners?

Choosing the "best" clematis for beginners depends on factors like your location, garden conditions, and personal preferences. Regardless, several beginner-friendly clematis varieties will reward you with vibrant blooms with minimal fuss:

• Viticella Group: These incredibly versatile climbers offer a wide range of colors (purple, red, blue) and bloom profusely from early to mid-summer, with some reblooming in late summer or autumn. They require light pruning after flowering and tolerate various soil types and light conditions. Varieties like "Ville de Lyon" (deep purple), "Polish Spirit" (vibrant lavender), and "Madame Van Houtte" (bright ruby red) are excellent choices.
• Montana Group: Known for their abundance of small, star-shaped flowers in white or pink, these vigorous climbers bloom prolifically in late spring to early summer and are generally considered no-prune varieties. "Elizabeth" with its stunning vanilla scent and "Grandiflora" with its larger, white blooms are popular choices.
• Alpina and Macropetala Groups: These charming clematis feature star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in various colors and require minimal pruning. They thrive in cool climates and prefer sun or partial shade. "Pamela Jackman" (purple) and "Maidwell Hall" (white) are good picks for these groups.

Tips for Success:

• Choose cultivars suitable for your climate to ensure it can withstand your winter temperatures.
• Provide well-drained soil.
• Clematis need something to climb on, so provide a sturdy structure for them to ascend.
• Mulch around the base to help retain moisture, keep the roots cool, and reduce weeds.
• Water regularly, especially during hot and dry periods. Clematis enjoy consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering.
• Prune lightly after flowering. This encourages future blooms and maintains a tidy appearance.

12. What is the strongest smelling clematis?

There are many fragrant Clematis and our top picks are:

• Clematis x aromatica: This small-flowered hybrid takes the crown for the most intense scent. Often described as having a strong vanilla aroma with hints of orange, its fragrance is truly intoxicating. It blooms in late spring and early summer with dark violet flowers and cream stamens. However, it requires protection from freezing temperatures as it's not as hardy as other varieties.
• Clematis armandii: This early bloomer boasts large, creamy-white flowers with a sweet almond fragrance that fills the air in late winter and early spring. It's a vigorous climber and relatively hardy, tolerating colder temperatures.
• Clematis montana 'Mayleen': This stunning clematis produces clusters of soft pink blooms with a delightful honey-almond scent that wafts through the air in late spring and early summer. It's a vigorous climber and requires minimal pruning, making it a good choice for beginners.
• Clematis tangutica: This cheerful clematis offers lantern-shaped yellow flowers with a spicy, tangerine-like scent that blooms in late spring and early summer. It's relatively easy to care for and tolerates warmer climates.
• Clematis aristata: This late-blooming beauty features fragrant white flowers with a citrusy scent that perfumes the air in late summer and autumn. It's a moderate climber and requires minimal pruning, making it a low-maintenance choice.

Additional considerations:

• Fragrance intensity can vary depending on factors like weather, time of day, and personal perception.
• Not everyone enjoys the same scents, so choose a clematis with a fragrance that appeals to you.
• Some clematis have strong fragrances that may be overpowering in close proximity, so consider planting them strategically in your garden.