Home + Garden Garden Flowers Take Your Garden to New Heights with Clematis Dubbed the Queen of Climbers, clematis starts humble. But once rambling up a trellis and thick with flowers, this perennial is, indeed, regal. New varieties come in many colors with longer bloom times, and in sizes from 2 to 20 feet. By Teresa Woodard Teresa Woodard Teresa Woodard is contributing garden editor at Midwest Living where she covers everything from houseplants and bonsai to daffodils and peonies. A lifelong Ohioan (except for her college days studying journalism at Indiana University), she gardens on two acres outside Columbus. She also teaches youth about growing food at an urban community garden and is working on a book project about American garden design. She loves hiking with her German short-haired pointer and traveling to favorite garden destinations. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 9, 2023 'Dr. Ruppel' clematis and a Colette climbing rose. LAURIE BLACK How to Pronounce Clematis Is it pronounced CLEM-uh-tis or cla-MA-tis? Either, but experts tend to use the former. The name comes from the Greek klēma, for vine branch. Above, 'Dr. Ruppel' clematis creeps up an arch to meet a Colette climbing rose. Clematis Varieties to Try Most garden centers carry clematis, but you'll find more diversity online, including funky shapes, dozens of hues and even shrub varieties. One top source: Donahue's in Faribault, Minnesota, a 49-year-old family business that grows 130 varieties under 4 acres of greenhouses—1 million plants in all. 01 of 04 Josephine Josephine. COURTESY OF DONAHUE’S This 6- to 8-foot double pink clematis is a Donahue's bestseller launched by legendary British breeder Raymond Evison. As its flowers age, the outer petals fall away, revealing a central pom-pom. Another stunning double is Diamantina in purple-blue. 02 of 04 'Stand By Me' 'Stand By Me'. COURTESY OF WALTERS GARDENS Instead of vining, this clematis grows as a 3-foot shrub. Its abundant bell-shape flowers open by June and return in late summer. After blooming, cream thread-like seed heads appear. Other compact varieties: yellow 'Little Lemons' or red Rebecca. 03 of 04 'Silver Moon' 'Silver Moon'. COURTESY OF DONAHUE’S This cultivar thrives in shade to part shade, climbing up to 10 feet with large, silvery mauve flowers that will brighten dark spots in the garden. Other shade-lovers to consider include lilac Clair de Lune and compact pink Abilene. 04 of 04 'Kilian Donahue' 'Kilian Donahue'. COURTESY OF DONAHUE’S Hybridized at Donahue's, this super-hardy clematis reaches up to 10 feet and blooms June through September. Watch its colors change from ruby red to fuchsia and lavender as blooms linger. Another hardy favorite is the classic 'Jackmanii.' PETER KRUMHARDT How to Help Clematis Climb Clematis can only cling to something less than 1 inch in diameter, so consider adding "helper lines" of twine or fishing line to these options. Wall Trellises Install against a fence or wall to sustain vigorous vines that climb beyond 6 feet. Tuteurs Pyramid-style trellises create vertical interest in perennial borders. Obelisk-shape models work well in beds or pots for shorter vines or shrub forms. Posts Lamp, fence or deck—any solid post can support a clematis, as long as you add slim guide lines. Other Plants Yep! Add surprising color to a shrub rose, conifer or tree by planting a clematis vine at the base. Clematis Care and Growing Tips From a Pro Donahue's Kathy Donahue Nass says to start with a gallon-size plant that's hardy for your zone. Dig a hole deeper than the pot in a sunny spot and plant so the first two sets of leaves are buried. Water twice a week for six weeks, then once a week if dry. Clematis prefers "cool feet and sunny shoulders," so mulch the base or shade it with other plants. Prune by early spring to encourage full new growth. Methods vary by variety, but Nass says "the ponytail cut" works for most Midwest clematis. Grab a handful of growth and chop off 6 to 9 inches above soil level. 12 Fragrant Flowers That Bring Natural Aromatherapy to Outdoor Spaces Clematis Planting Ideas Kathy Donahue Nass plants two varieties together to mix colors and bloom times, and she trained sweet autumn clematis up old crabapples (fooling neighbors into thinking the trees were reblooming in fall). Shorter varieties can be grown in 18- to 20-inch containers. Overwinter them in an unheated garage until mid-April. Shade Landscaping Ideas for Midwest Gardens Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit