Once your borders are packed with flowery perennials, how do you squeeze in even more color? Tuck in a few trellises, add an arbor or fill a wall with colorful clematis blooms. These amazing vines come in a huge range of colors, shapes and sizes, but the showiest are the large-flowered hybrids. There are hundreds of cultivars in this eye-catching group, which is divided into early-flowering types that bloom on old wood (growth from the previous season) and late-flowering types that bloom on new wood (the current season’s growth). And many of them rebloom, so by choosing a mix of varieties, you can have clematis blooming from late spring to early fall.
A CLEMATIS FOR EVERY GARDEN This group ranges in size from dwarf types, such as 1- to 2-foot-tall Bijou™ to 15-foot-tall ‘Ernest Markham’. 10- to 12-foot-tall ‘Gipsy Queen’ at left has 5- to 7-inch deep-purple blooms: It’s no wonder this heirloom has been a favorite of gardeners for generations. Ready to learn more about large-flowered clematis? Turn the page to meet some early- and late-flowering varieties and learn how to grow them best.
WELCOME TO THE GARDEN
A striking show of 5-to 7-inch deep purple blooms of ‘Gipsy Queen’ at eye level is sure to capture attention and draw visitors through this arbor.
Large-flowered clematis
Clematis hybrids
Perennial
