Hybrid Clematis

These large-flowering hybrids are given in alphabetical order, stating the main characteristics of each variety: the flower colour and size of bloom; the approximate height to which they grow, although this and the size of flower will vary from place to place; their flowering period; which group they belong to; how they should be pruned.

Clematis are divided into groups, bringing together those varieties that are similar in habit and character, thus giving us their times of flowering and their needs for pruning.

As the groups have become so intermingled during the last hundred years of cross-breeding, it is not always clear to which group certain varieties belong. The main trouble is with the patens and lanuginosa varieties which have become so mixed that it is difficult to separate them. The 'Jackmanii' and viticella groups are those that flower on the young wood from early summer to late autumn and they are the ones that really do need hard pruning every winter.

Alice Fisk

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; wisteria-blue sepals and purple stamens. Flowers spring and early autumn. Pruning -light. A short clematis.

Asao

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); six to seven sepals; reddish-pink sepals with white bar and brown stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Pruning - hard. From Japan.

Ascotiensis

Vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); four to six sepals; mauve-blue sepals and green stamens. Flowers mid-summer to mid-autumn continuously. Simple or heart shaped, ternate leaves. Pruning -hard. Late flowerer.

Barbara Jackman

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: striped; 10cm (4 in); eight sepals; petunia-mauve sepals with crimson bars and cream stamens; faint scent. Flowers late spring to early summer. Leaves ternate. Pruning -light. Early flowerer.

Beauty of Worcester

Moderately vigorous. Height 1.8 m (6 ft). Flowers: double in spring and single in autumn; 12-15 cm (5-6 in); six sepals in autumn flowers; deep blue sepals and white stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Single and ternate heart shaped leaves. Pruning -light. Short stemmed but grown for its early vivid double flowers.

Bees Jubilee

Not vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: striped; 18 cm (7 in); eight sepals; mauve-pink sepals with carmine bars and brown stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves trifoliate. Pruning -light. Flower often regarded as an improved 'Nelly Moser'.

Belle Nantaise

Moderately vigorous. Height to 3 m (10 ft). Flowers: 20-25 cm (8-10 in); six sepals; lavender-blue sepals and white stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Leaves are simple and ternate. Pruning -light. From France.

Capitaine Thuilleaux

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: striped; 15-20 cm (6-8 in); six to eight sepals; cream sepals with strawberry-pink bars and brown stamens. Flowers late spring and late summer. Leaves ternate. Pruning -light. From France.

Carnaby

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: striped; 15-20 cm (6-8 in); six sepals; raspberry-pink sepals with deeper bar and brown stamens. Flowers late spring. Pruning-light.

Chalcedony

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: double in spring and autumn; 12 cm (5 in); 50-60 sepals in a ball; ice-blue sepals and creamy stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Solitary and ternate leathery leaves. Pruning -light.

Charissima

Vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12ft). Flowers: striped; 18 cm (7 in); eight sepals; cerise pink with maroon bar and maroon stamens. Flowers early summer. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Comtesse de Bouchaud

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 2.4m (8 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; sepals are mauve-pink with cream stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaves have three to five leaflets. Pruning - hard. Outstanding, very popular, pink clematis. Very free flowering but short. From France.

Daniel Deronda

Moderately vigorous. Height to 3 m (10 ft). Flowers: semi-double or single; 18-20 cm (7-8 in); eight sepals; violet-blue sepals and creamy stamens. Flowers late spring. Simple and ternate leaves. Pruning -light. This clematis has a double bloom in the spring and a single bloom in the autumn.

Dawn

Moderately vigorous. Height to 1.8 m (6ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; sepals are pearly-pink with carmine stamens. Flowers late spring; slight scent. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Tends to fade.

Dr Ruppel

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 3 m (10 ft). Flowers: striped; 15-20 cm (4-6 in); eight sepals; rose-madder sepals with brilliant carmine bar and golden stamens. Flowers freely late spring and early autumn. The leaves are solitary and ternate. Pruning -light. Outstanding for its colour and free flowering habit. Very popular since its introduction from Argentina in 1975. Best striped clematis.

Duchess of Edinburgh

Not vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: double; 10cm (4 in); rows of white sepals with cream stamens; sometimes sepals have green tinge; faint smell. Flowers early to late summer. Leaves ternate. Pruning -light. A white double.

Elsa Späth

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 2m (7 ft). Flowers: 20cm (8 in); six to eight sepals; lavender-blue sepals and reddish-purple stamens. Flowers early summer and again in early autumn. Three to five leaflets. Pruning -light. A fine reliable clematis.

Ernest Markham

Vigorous. Height to 3.5 m (12 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; sepals petunia-red with golden stamens. Flowers mid-summer to mid-autumn. Leaves have three or five leaflets. Pruning -either light for early display and hard for late display. A popular red clematis.

Fair Rosamond

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: striped; 12-15 cm (5-6 in); eight sepals; sepals are bluish-white with red bars and purple stamens. Flowers early summer; scent of violets. Ternate leaves. Pruning -light. The only large-flowered hybrid with fair scent.

General Sikorski

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); six sepals; mid-blue and crenulated edges to sepals with golden stamens. Flowers continuously from early summer to autumn. Pruning -light. An exceptional recent introduction from Poland which will become very popular.

Gipsy Queen

Very vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals and reddish-purple stamens. Flowers continuously from mid-summer to early autumn. Ternate leaves. Pruning -hard. Outstanding for ease of cultivation and continuous free flowering.

Hagley Hybrid

Very vigorous. Height to 1.8 m (6 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; shell-pink sepals and brown stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -hard. Despite short height, is very popular for its continuous free flowering nature, and ease of cultivation.

Haku Ookan

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: semi-double in spring; 15-20cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; violet sepals and white stamens. Flowers early summer and again in early autumn. Ternate leaves. Pruning -light. From Japan.

Henryi

Moderately vigorous. Height to 3 m (10ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; creamy-white sepals and brown stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Ternate leaves. Pruning -light. One of the oldest hybrid clematis and comes from Scotland.

H. F. Young

Vigorous and free flowering. Height to 3.6m (12ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); Wedgwood blue sepals and creamy-white stamens. Flowers late spring and early summer. Ternate leaves. Pruning -light. Exceptional. One of the best blue clematis and very popular for free flowering habit. Likes sun.

Horn of Plenty

Moderately vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12 ft) Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; rosy-purple sepals and reddish-purple stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Leaves ternate. Pruning -hard.

Huldine

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 6 m (20 ft). Flowers: 5-10 cm (2-4 in); six sepals; sepals pearly-white and greenish-white stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to mid-autumn. Five leaflets. Pruning -hard. This white clematis is very popular for its free flowering habit.

Jackmanii Alba

Very vigorous. Height 6 m (20 ft). Flowers: 10-12 cm (4-5 in); semi-double at first with six sepals later; white sepals and brown stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Ternate light green leaves. Pruning -hard. Easy to grow.

Jackmanii Superba

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 6m (20ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); sepals 4-6; bluish-purple sepals and greenish beige stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaves simple, ternate, or in fives. Pruning -hard. Outstanding for continuous flowering, colour, free flowering habit, and ease of cultivation. An improved 'Jackmanii'.

Jan Pawel II (John Paul II)

Vigorous. Height to 5 m (16 ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); creamy-white sepals with pink shading and brown stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Pruning -light. From Poland.

Kathleen Wheeler

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 20-25 cm (8-10 in); eight sepals; plumy- mauve sepals and golden stamens. Flowers early summer and early autumn. Leaves simple or ternate. Pruning -light.

Lady Betty Balfour

Vigorous. Height to 6 m (20 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); six sepals; violet-blue sepals with yellow stamens. Flowers early and mid-autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -hard. Valuable for late flowering and therefore needs sunny position.

Lady Northcliffe

Vigorous. Height 1.8 m (6 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; deep Wedgwood-blue sepals and white stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to mid-autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Popular for continuous flowering.

Lasurstern

Vigorous. Height to 3.6 m (12 ft). Flowers: 17-22cm (7-9 in); handsome flower with rich deep blue sepals and white stamens. Flowers profusely late spring and some flowers in early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Lawsoniana

Vigorous. Height to 5 m (16 ft). Flowers: 20-25 cm (8-10 in); six to eight sepals; lavender-blue sepals with rosy tinge and beige stamens. Flowers early summer to late autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. One of the oldest clematis, from Scotland. Exceptional for vigor, height and length of flowering.

Lincoln Star

Not vigorous. Height to 2m (6 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; sepals are cochineal-pink with paler margins and maroon stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Louise Rowe

Not vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: unusual- single, semi-double, and double flowers at same time; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); pale mauve sepals and golden stamens. Flowering early summer and again early autumn. Pruning - light. Bred by an amateur gardener.

Mme Baron Veillard

Vigorous. Height to 3.6 m (12 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; lilac-rose sepals with white stamens. Flowers continuously mid- to late autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -hard. Useful as a vigorous late-flowering clematis. From France.

Mme Edouard Andre

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; wine red sepals and cream stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -hard. A popular red from France.

Mme Julia Correvon

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 5-10 cm (2-4 in); four to six sepals; deep wine-red sepals and golden stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Five leaflets. Pruning -hard. This popular free-flowering red is from the viticella group and is here because of large blooms. From France.

Margaret Hunt

Vigorous. Height to 3.5 m (12 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); lavender-pink sepals and brown stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Pruning-hard. Bred by an amateur gardener and named after her.

Margot Koster

Vigorous and free flowering. Height to 2.4m (8 ft). Flowers: 5-10cm (2-4 in); four to six sepals; mauve-pink sepals and whitish stamens. Flowers mid-summer continuously. Five leaflets. Pruning -hard. From the viticella group and appears here for size of bloom.

Marie Boisselot

Very vigorous. Height to 5 m (16 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; pure white sepals and pale yellow stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaves simple or ternate. Pruning -light. This outstanding clematis from France is the best white clematis.

Miss Bateman

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); eight sepals; creamy- white sepals and chocolate-red stamens. Flowers late spring and again early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Attractive early flower.

Miss Crawshay

Moderately vigorous. Height to 1.8 m (6 ft). Flowers: semi-double in first blooming; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); eight sepals, mauve-pink sepals and pale fawn stamens. Flowers late spring. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Moonlight

Not vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; soft primrose sepals and yellow stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Pretty flower needing shade.

Mrs. Cholmondeley

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 5 m (16 ft). Flowers: 18-23 cm (7-9 in); six or seven sepals; lavender-blue sepals and brown stamens. Flowers for a long period late spring to early autumn. Three or five leaflets. Pruning -light. 'Mrs. "Chumley" ' is very popular for its trouble-free long flowering.

Mrs. N. Thompson

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2 m (6ft) or less. Flowers: striped; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); four to six sepals; deep violet-blue sepals with vivid scarlet bar and deep red stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Pruning -light. This clematis has to be grown for its gorgeously colored flower.

Mrs. P. B. Truax

Moderately vigorous. Height to 3.6 m (12 ft). Flowers: silky texture; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); eight sepals; periwinkle-blue sepals and yellow stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Mrs. Spencer Castle

Moderately vigorous. Height to 3.6 m (12 ft). Flowers: double flowers in first blooming; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; heliotrope-pink sepals with golden stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Myojo

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); velvety violet-red sepals with deeper bar and cream stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Pruning -light. From Japan.

Nelly Moser

Very vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: striped; 18-23 cm (7-9 in); eight sepals; pale mauve-pink sepals with deep carmine bars and maroon stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Justifiably popular for its free flowering but needs shade to prevent fading.

Niobe

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: velvety; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); deep ruby-red sepals and golden stamens making an exceptional bloom. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -hard. Outstanding recent introduction from Poland.

Perle d' Azur

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 5 m (16 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); four to six sepals; sky-blue sepals with green stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to mid-autumn. The leaves are ternate or in fives. Pruning -hard. Raised in France.

The President

Vigorous and free flowering. Height to 3 m (10 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; deep purple-blue sepals and reddish-purple stamens. Flowers continuously from early summer to early autumn. The leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Outstanding clematis for its vigor and continuous blooming.

Prince Charles

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); mauveblue sepals and green stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Pruning -hard. Recent introduction from New Zealand.

Proteus

Moderately vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: double or treble at first; 15-20 cm (6-8 in); six sepals; rosy-lilac sepals and yellow stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. The leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. Very old clematis and a double.

Ramona

Moderately vigorous. Height to 5 m (16 ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); lavender-blue sepals and dark stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Pruning -light.

Richard Pennell

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 2.4m (8 ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; rosy-purple sepals and golden stamens. Flowers continuously late spring to early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. An exceptional post war hybrid, likely to become increasingly popular.

Rouge Cardinal

Not vigorous. Height to 2.4m (8 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals; ruby-red sepals and brown stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. From France.

Scartho Gem

Not vigorous. Height to 1.8 m (6 ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; bright deep pink sepals and golden stamens. Flowers early summer to early autumn. The leaves are ternate. Pruning -light.

Serenata

Vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); purple sepals and yellow stamens. Flowers late spring continuously to early autumn. Pruning -hard. From Sweden.

Sylvia Denny

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: double early on; 10-15 cm (4-6 in); white sepals and yellow stamens; said to have a slight scent. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Pruning -light. Recent introduction from England.

Twilight

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: 15-20cm (6-8 in); six sepals; petunia- mauve, slightly fluorescent sepals and yellow stamens. Flowers continuously mid-summer to mid-autumn. Leaves simple or ternate. Pruning -hard.

Victoria

Very vigorous and free flowering. Height to 3 m (16 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); four to six sepals; rosy-purple sepals and buff stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Leaflets in fives. Pruning -hard. Popular for free-flowering habit and has a reputation for withstanding cold climates.

Ville de Lyon

Very vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12 ft). Flowers: 10-15 cm (4-6 in); six sepals, carmine red sepals and golden stamens. Flowers continuously from mid-summer to mid-autumn. Leaflets three or five. Pruning -hard. Raised in France.

Vyvyan Pennell

Vigorous. Height to 2.4 m (8 ft). Flowers: double at first, single later; peony-like flower; 12-20 cm (6-8 in); deep violet-blue sepals suffused with purple and red and golden stamens. Flowers late spring and early autumn. Leaves are ternate. Pruning -light. The best double clematis. Outstanding. Grow this clematis so that you can gaze into the kaleidoscope of fascinating shades of blue in this peony-like flower. Queen of the clematis.

W. E. Gladstone

Vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12ft). Flowers: 20-25 cm (8-10 in); six or seven sepals; lilac-blue sepals and purple stamens. Flowers early summer to mid-autumn. Leaves are simple or ternate. Pruning -light. The largest blooms of all and has been very long in cultivation. Dislikes winter but always jumps up again. Will even bloom on a north wall and often chosen for this purpose.

William Kennett

Vigorous. Height to 3.6m (12ft). Flowers: 15-20 cm (6-8 in); eight sepals; deep lavender-blue, crinkly sepals with dark purple stamens. Flowers continuously early summer to early autumn. Solitary leaves. Pruning -light. A very old clematis and still popular for its height and vigor.

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