Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


{name}

Clematis macropetala (Downy clematis)

Clematis macropetala Clematis macropetala 'Blue Bird' Photo/Illustration: S. Andrew Schulman



Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Clematis macropetala KLEM-ah-tiss mak-roe-PET-ah-lah Common Name: Downy clematis Genus: Clematis
Downy clematis is a hardy, deciduous early bloomer that can flourish in Zone 4. The species will climb to 10 feet with a little support, and it has bell-shaped, purple-blue, almost columbine-like flowers about 1 to 2 inches, sometimes up to 4 inches in diameter, that mature to fluffy, pinkish seed heads. Blooms appear in spring and early summer, sometimes followed by a second flush in late summer to early autumn
 Noteworthy characteristics: Very hardy. Large, purplish blue flowers and attractive seedheads.
 Care: Usually grown in sun but well suited to shade. Can be grown scrambling through low shrubs or in a tub or basket. Needs little or no pruning. They can be hard pruned to 12 inches, immediately after flowering, if they have outgrown their space. New shoots will bloom the following spring. Keep roots cool and moist and grow in fertile, well-drained, acidic soil with abundant organic matter. Plant with the top of the root ball 3 to 5 inches below the surface and provide strong support.
 Propagation: Root softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer.
 Problems: Wilt, powdery mildew, rust, fungal spots, and stem cankers are common. Scale insects, whiteflies, earwigs, aphids can occur.
Height 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Growth Habit Runs
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Showy Flowers; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Early Spring; Early Summer; Late Spring; Spring; Summer
Flower Color Blue Flower; Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Trellis
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Vines

Plants you might also like

no image available Clematis alpina
(Alpine clematis) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Alpine clematis is one of the earliest clematises to bloom, in early May. It bears relatively small but delightful nodding, bell-shaped flowers, 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, in a great variety of colors.
Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’
 (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Nellie Moser' is easy to grow, producing large, flat flowers 6 to 8 inches in diameter with distinctive, gleaming lilac bars on each petal. This clematis blooms from May to late June, with a second, less profuse bloom in mid-August. Planted in a shady spot, the cheery pink-and-mauve-striped blossoms last for weeks instead of days.
no image available Clematis viticella 'Alba Luxurians'
 Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Alba Luxurians' is a very tough, late-flowering climber with small flowers that open from midsummer to late autumn. White blossoms are sometimes faintly tinged with mauve when young, and are open, bell-shaped, single, and 2 to 3 inches across. Foliage is slightly gray-green.
Clematis 'Ernest Markham' Clematis 'Ernest Markham'
 Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Ernest Markham' is a vigorous, late-flowering climber with abundant small flowers in summer. Blossoms are rich magenta, 4 inches across, with blunt-tipped sepals and light chocolate anthers.
Wisteria floribunda Wisteria floribunda
(Japanese wisteria) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Dramatic clusters of blue-violet to red-violet flowers with an intoxicating fragrance grace this vigorous twining climber. Its springtime cascading flower clusters can grow to 3 feet long or more in some cultivars. Blooms typically open first at the base and last at the tip of each cluster. Trunk diameter can reach 7 to 8 inches after 20 years, and the plant can climb to 35 or more feet in height, though its size is easily contolled by pruning.