Introducing...
Summer and autumn-flowering clematis
These late-summer-flowering clematis are among the most popular and there are hundreds of varieties available. They look great grown through climbing roses or over shrubs, and are perfect for adding late-season colour.
Looks
This diverse group includes the popular large-flowered hybrids that typically grow to around 3m high and have star-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, blue-purple and red. It also includes smaller-flowering species clematis and their cultivars, like Clematis viticella and C. texensis, that have bell or tulip-shaped flowers on plants up to 4m high. C. flammula and C. rehderiana are prized for their clouds of small, fragrant, star or bell-shaped flowers.
Likes
A sunny or part-shaded position in any deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Clematis prefer their roots to be kept cool, so plant the base of the clematis in light shade or provide shading with other plants or a dressing of pebbles.
Dislikes
Clematis dislike poor soils that dry out in summer and those that become very wet. Although tolerant of some shade, flowering will be disappointing in a very shady spot.
Did you know?
The late-flowering Clematis tangutica and C. tibetana produce a mass of silky seedheads after flowering, extending the clematis season of interest into autumn and early winter.
Growing guide
How to grow clematis
All the information you’ll need to grow & care for clematis in your garden.
Summer and autumn-flowering clematis we recommend
Clematis 'Étoile Violette' (Vt)
clematis 'Étoile Violette'
- 2.5–4 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie' (Ta)
clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Clematis 'Prince Charles' (LL)
clematis 'Prince Charles'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Clematis 'Étoile Violette' (Vt)
clematis 'Étoile Violette'
- 2.5–4 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie' (Ta)
clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Clematis 'Prince Charles' (LL)
clematis 'Prince Charles'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Clematis problems: frequently asked questions
Clematis: green petal
Clematis: pruning
Pergolas
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