Clematis viorna
leather flower
A deciduous climber, up to 4m high, with divided green leaves with downy undersides. Nodding, bell-shaped flowers, with thick, recurved petals in shades of purple and sometimes cream-coloured at the tips, are produced from late spring to late summer
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Purple Cream | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Purple Cream | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (rabbits): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Clematis can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or herbaceous perennials, mostly climbing by twining leaf-stalks, and often with showy flowers. Some have attractive fluffy seedheads in autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant with the top of the root ball about 8cm below the soil surface, in a moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Position in sun or part shade, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. See clematis cultivation for more advice
Propagation
Propagate from cuttings (climbers), or by layering in late winter or early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning (clematis) group 3. Cut back hard before growth begins in early spring
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids. Cutworms and voles may cut young stems
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.