Clematis
at Digging Dog

Including Clematis montana, Clematis viticella, & Clematis durandii

Clematis

Simple and beautiful, Clematis includes over 300 named cultivars and even more wild species than the rose. Our selections offer opulent blossoms, attractive, carefree foliage, and ornamental seed heads, in exchange for a minimum of attention. Use them to cover just about every stump and dead tree, as well as on trellises, arbors, pergolas, walls and tall shrubs. They prefer to be planted slightly deep in cool, well drained soil, with mulch or a ground cover to shade their feet; provide a support and let them climb.

Medium Band.

Clematis ‘General Sikorski’   

Gold soaked frilly centers heighten the lavish and lengthy showing of large, well rounded mauve-blue flowers, which span some 6 in. across. Gracing lance-shaped deciduous leaflets, long narrow tapered buds herald the marvelous blooms, each described by 6 or 8 broadly overlapping tepals with subtly notched margins and red-tinged bases.

An award winning, compact Polish cultivar whose blossoms and fluffy seed clusters make first-class additions to cut arrangements, the robust ‘General Sikorski’ can be trained up an obelisk or pergola alongside climbing roses, or sited in a container as a colorful summertime specimen.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 6'–8' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Clematis General Sikorski (T-0248)
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Clematis ‘Huldine’   

Bred nearly 100 years ago in France, ‘Huldine’ faithfully delivers copious pearly white, cup-shaped blooms all summer long. Amid plump pointed buds, dark stems and handsome, strong growing deciduous greenery, the perfect-for-cutting, 3 to 4 in. luminous flowers are held upright while uniting 6 translucent nonoverlapping tepals around a cluster of greenish yellow anthers.

This sophisticated hardy Clematis features recurving tips and slightly incurved, mauve-blushed margins. It is best grown over a large trellis, arch or pergola—anywhere the lovely undersides, which glow with 3 pinkish mauve central bars per tepal, are easily relished.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 10'–15' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Clematis Huldine (T-0249)
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Clematis ‘Pamiat Serdtsa’   

(Integrifolia group)

With a name that translates “memory of the heart,” this vine’s floral elegance is hard to forget. Long blooming and satin sheened, the rich colored heliotrope purple blooms show off darker, glossier midribs. Caught in a partially open, spirited flounce that surrounds pale yellow anthers, the 3 in. long tepals are sometimes twisted and irregularly edged. ‘Pamiat Serdtsa’s sturdy herbaceous shoots will climb and saunter but not cling, while slightly nodding blooms pose suspended from subtly crooked stems.

Developed at the Ukraine’s Nikita Botanic Garden, she etches an exquisite juxtaposition of color when meandering up through Spiraea ‘Ogon’ in the mixed border.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 4'–6' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 3.

Clematis Pamiat Serdtsa (t-0243)
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Clematis ‘Rooguchi’   

(Integrifolia group)

Dangling from the curved ends of lax stems, dark plum-colored droves of dainty ribbed bells, edged in light lavender, compose a nonstop summer fling. The 3 in. long blooms showcase prominent curled up tepal tips that add fairy tale appeal.

Hybridized by Kazuhige Ozawa, this endearing Clematis grows as an herbaceous perennial, its nonclinging stems scramble about to grace a container, form a ground cover or thread their way through an open shrub.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 6'–8' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 3.

Clematis Rooguchi (t-0244)
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Clematis alpina ‘Jacqueline du Pré’   

Honored with the same name as the musical luminary Jacqueline du Pré, this lovely Clematis harmoniously orchestrates bright green deciduous leaves arranged in threes, maroon-tinged stems and large, freely borne rosy mauve flowers. Suspended from long stalks, pointed dusky mulberry-hued buds reveal light centered, semipendant delicate blooms composed of four separate, out curving tepals with pale-blushed margins and darker orchid shades on the exterior.

A dainty, shimmering overture announcing spring’s arrival, the exquisite floral display graces a vigorous, cold hardy vine, acquiescing to both cool, shady northern spots and sunny, more exposed locations.

Blooms April–May.

Size: 8'–10' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 3.

Clematis alpina Jacqueline du Pré (T-0241)
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Clematis chiisanensis ‘Lemon Bells’   

Hats off to British Columbia’s University Botanical Garden for selecting this long blooming, citrus-hued gem from a group of South Korean seedlings. Wine-colored stems and sturdy, trifoliate deciduous foliage host masses of pastel yellow bells described by thick, ribbed tepals, burgundy bases and slender, pointed tips that turn outward.

Arising mostly from the previous season’s wood, its fairylike flowers welcome in summer, while ethereal fluffy seed heads extend the enchanting composition.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 6-1/2'–10' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 6.

Clematis chiisanensis Lemon Bells (t-0240)
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Clematis durandii   

Let ‘Durandii’ twine its way through the branches of your favorite shrub. This semi-herbaceous Clematis is coveted by floral arrangers and gardeners alike for its choice 3-½ to 4 in. flowers and sturdy, nonclinging stems. With centers of creamy white stamens and deeply ribbed tepals, these richly colored indigo-blue flowers will bring an exquisite splash of color to your garden or an arrangement.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 3-1/2'–5' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 5.

Clematis durandii (t-0109)
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Clematis heracleifolia var. davidiana   

Prized for its sweetly scented, Hyacinth-like flowers, this pretty semiherbaceous perennial was collected by Pére David near Beijing in 1863. Luminous tight-knit clusters of powdery blue-lavender flowers with curled-back petals are borne at both the leaf axils and stem tips. Medium green and good-sized, the serrated foliage and strong stems form an arresting textural mass that emits a pleasant woodsy aroma when autumn arrives.

Spreading by underground rhizomes, Clematis var. davidiana is certain to spark attention as it rambles around Deutzia setchuenensis var. corymbiflora in a mixed grouping.

Blooms late July–September.

Size: 3' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 5.

Clematis heracleifolia var. davidiana (t-0220)
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Clematis macropetala ‘Blue Bird’   

We especially like this vigorous deciduous cultivar for its smoky silver seed heads. But nodding violet-blue flowers with inner petals of cream also combine with young red stems and coarsely toothed medium green leaves to make this species a colorful favorite.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 15' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Clematis macropetala Blue Bird (t-0037)
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Clematis montana ‘Broughton Star’   

Named after a local parish by the English couple who bred it, this renowned “star” won the British Clematis Society’s 1998 Certificate of Merit award. Each 2-½ in. semidouble flower is the color of crushed strawberries and features a distinctive inner ring of tepals, luxuriously staged against bronzy green deciduous foliage. For a far-reaching display of enticing blooms aplenty, let ‘Broughton Star’s vigorous stems make their way through the lustrous leaves of Azara dentata.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 15'–20' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 5.

Clematis montana Broughton Star (T-0232)
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Clematis montana ‘Freda’   

Cultivated by Mrs. Freda Deacon, ‘Freda’ is the proud recipient of the RHS’s Garden Merit Award, and once you see her delectable colors you’ll understand why. Spangled across lavish chocolate and purple bronzed leaves, her satiny buds and 2 in. bright cherry-pink, Anemone-like flowers deliver a profuse performance. Rounded tepals wear darker margins, while gathered around sprightly lemon-yellow anthers. Tinged with burgundy, the young stems sprout handsome foliage that manifests hints of green as the flowers melt away. This Clematis is a little less vigorous and better suited for a smaller space.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 15'–20' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 6.

Clematis montana Freda (T-0242)
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Clematis montana ‘Vera’   

A deliciously scented cultivar—very floriferous—whose rounded tepals form an almost cup-shaped, 2 to 2-½ in., deep pink bloom centered with a sprightly cluster of yellow anthers. Young stems are tinged burgundy, and purple-tinted new leaves age to a handsome green-bronze as the flowers melt away.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 25'–30' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 5.

Clematis montana Vera (T-0235)
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Clematis tangutica ‘Golden Harvest’   

Golden Bells Clematis

A new variety from Holland, this robust deciduous climber is adorned with exceptional seed heads, which look like loose silky balls of shiny silver thread. The four-tepaled, nodding golden yellow flowers will cascade over stone walls or be carried on mischievous stems to adjacent shrubs. It is especially enchanting entwined among Melianthus major.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 15' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 5.

Clematis tangutica Golden Harvest (t-0134)
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Clematis terniflora   

Sweet Autumn Clematis

This spectacular New Zealand native is covered with small white flowers borne on long, arching panicles. The pink anthers, silky seed heads, and dark glossy leaves combine with the Hawthorn-like fragrance of the flowers to create a sensuous, alluring effect. We trained our Sweet Autumn Clematis to grow horizontally against a wall, so that the evergreen foliage contrasts with the hanging flower panicles.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 25' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 6.

Clematis terniflora (t-0108)
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Clematis viticella ‘Emilia Plater’   

Bred by an 85 year old Polish monk in 1967 and named after a young Polish freedom fighter from the early 1800s, this vigorous cultivar exhibits grace and unwavering tenacity. Her splendid summertime flowers, painted in stunning bluish lavender hues, are considered large for a viticella, measuring 4 to 6 inches across given favorable growing conditions.

Widely spaced tepals surround creamy green anthers and are distinguished by undulating edges, recurving tips, shaded central bars and darker veins. Acquiescent to most garden soils, even drier ones, 'Emilia Plater' can ramble up a pole in the midst of the border backed by Buddleja knappii's silver and green leaves.

Blooms July-September

Size: 10' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Clematis viticella Emilia Plater (T-0245)
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Clematis viticella ‘Kermesina’   

Plush crimson hues imbue the blooms of this robust and free flowering deciduous cultivar raised in the 1880s by the well-known French nursery, Lemoine. Green-tipped upon opening, four rubescent tepals exhibit illuminated white bases and margins that curl under, while their vivid dance encompasses a central hub of black anthers. The luxurious, downward glancing blossoms create an alluring vignette against a pearly colored backdrop.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 10'–12' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Clematis viticella Kermesina (t-0222)
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Clematis viticella ‘Royal Velours’   

With a velvety texture and satiny sheen, ‘Royal Velours’s intense, dark wine-purple flowers are considered the “darkest of the dark.” Produced in profusion, the seminodding, four-tepaled blooms curve back at their tips, and are centered by greenish black anthers. Superimpose this deciduous Clematis against a silvery background like Teucrium fruticans (Select Form) and a sumptuous spectacle is yours for the viewing.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 10'–12' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Clematis viticella Royal Velours (t-0223)
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Clematis x triternata ‘Rubromarginata’   

Believed to be a natural deciduous hybrid between Clematis flammula and Clematis viticella, the ruby-margined flush of this floriferous 1860s cross is made more delectable by its rich, marzipanlike fragrance. Arranged in terminal panicles, starry white, four-tepaled, 1-½ in. blooms are drawn together by creamy anthers. Assuring billows of bloom, vigorous ‘Rubromarginata’ imparts a celestial charm amid the golden foliage of Physocarpus ‘Dart’s Gold’ or a dark green Yew.

Blooms July–early October.

Size: 10'–13' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 5.

AVAILABLE SUMMER 2008

Clematis x triternata Rubromarginata (T-0221)
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Further reading about Clematis:

An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Clematis by Mary K. Toomey and Everett Leeds