Clematis 'Frances Rivis' (A)
clematis 'Frances Rivis'
A medium-sized deciduous climber with narrow, serrate leaflets. Flowers with four tapering, clear light violet-blue sepals 5cm in length, surrounding prominent cream staminodes and stamens in early to late spring with occasional flowers in late summer.
Synonyms
Clematis alpina 'Frances Rivis'Clematis alpina 'Blue Giant'
see moreClematis alpina thibetica hort.
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Cream | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Cream | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Atragene Group Clematis consists of woody climbers with deciduous, 1 to 2-ternate leaves and nodding, bell-shaped, single or double flowers to 10cm across, on old wood in spring and early summer, occasionally also later, on current year's growth
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant in a moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. Plant with the crown 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level. Can be grown in containers at least 45cm (18in) deep and wide in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost. See clematis cultivation for more advice
Propagation
Propagate by layering or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars on young growth; petals can be eaten by earwigs
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.