The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Enjoying Clematis Varieties in Your Garden
Are you looking to add a pop of color and vertical interest to your garden or yard? Look no further than clematis plants! With over 300 species and countless hybrid varieties, clematis is a versatile and beautiful addition to any landscape. From perennial vines to shrubby plants, there is a clematis for every garden style.
In this guide, we will explore 40 of the most popular and adaptable purple clematis varieties that are perfect for gardens, trellises, groundcovers, and containers. But before we dive into the list, let’s learn more about these stunning plants and how to care for them.
What are Clematis Plants?
Clematis plants are known for their show-stopping flowers that range in size from petite bell-shaped blooms to large, eye-catching blossoms. These plants come in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, white, yellow, and, of course, purple. Clematis can be found as perennial vines, deciduous climbers, evergreen vines, shrubby plants, and even as herbaceous perennials.
Tips for Growing Clematis
- Plant Type: Clematis come in various types, including climbers, groundcovers, and shrubs.
- Size: Consider the mature size of the clematis plant when choosing a location.
- Light: Most clematis varieties prefer full sun to part shade.
- Growing Zone: Check the plant’s recommended growing zones to ensure it will thrive in your area.
Now, let’s explore some of the most popular purple clematis varieties that you can add to your garden for a burst of color and beauty.
Alpine Clematis
Alpine clematis are early bloomers with small, bell-shaped flowers in a range of purple hues. These plants rarely need pruning and are a great option for a low-maintenance garden addition.
H.F. Young
H.F. Young clematis produces massive, pale purple flowers that are sure to make a statement in your garden. These deciduous climbers bloom in late spring and fall, adding interest to your landscape throughout the seasons.
Hairy Clematis
Also known as sugarbowls or vase flowers, hairy clematis is a North American native with purple, bell-shaped flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These undemanding plants are perfect for adding wildlife to your garden.
Nelly Moser
Nelly Moser clematis boasts large, bi-colored blooms with white petals and pinkish-purple stripes. While not as sun-tolerant as other varieties, this plant adds a touch of elegance to any garden space when grown in part shade.
Hagley Hybrid
For late-season blooms, look no further than Hagley Hybrid clematis. These lavender-colored flowers bloom from midsummer to fall, adding a splash of color to your garden when other plants may be fading.
Anemone Clematis
Anemone clematis is named for its dainty, pinkish-purple flowers that resemble anemone plants. These fast-growing and adaptable plants can be trained to grow on arbors, used as groundcovers, or planted along garden borders for a pop of color.
Madame Julia Correvon
Madame Julia Correvon is a long-season bloomer with purplish-red star-shaped flowers that brighten up garden beds from early summer to fall. This clematis does well in large gardens but can also thrive in containers in smaller spaces.
Doctor Ruppel
Doctor Ruppel is known for its profuse blooming habit, with brightly colored flowers in late spring to early summer and a second wave of blooms in early autumn. The bi-colored blooms with purplish-pink stripes add a whimsical touch to any garden.
Huvi Clematis
Unlike sprawling clematis plants, Huvi clematis is a compact grower that thrives in small spaces and containers. These cold-hardy plants with reddish-purple flowers are a great addition to gardens with limited space.
Elsa Spath
Elsa Spath clematis blooms in early summer and again later in the season, with fading purple flowers that turn to pink over time. These hardy plants have been popular since the late 19th century and can be found in gardens worldwide.
Prince Charles Clematis
The pale lavender flowers of Prince Charles clematis add a touch of royalty to garden spaces. These compact plants bloom throughout summer, are resistant to clematis wilt, and can be grown in pots or larger gardens.
Pale Leatherflower
Native to North America, pale leatherflower adds subtle beauty with its purple, bell-shaped flowers. These plants thrive in a range of soils, including rocky gardens, but prefer consistently moist soil for optimal growth.
Ramona Clematis
Late-blooming Ramona clematis features lavender flowers with bright red anthers for a striking contrast. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage more prolific flowering on this climber that blooms on both old and new wood.
Sprinkles Clematis
Sprinkles clematis gets its playful name from its pinkish-purple flowers accented with white stripes. These flamboyant flowers are a repeat bloomer, adding color to flower beds and making a lovely addition to cut flower arrangements.
Sapphire Indigo Clematis
Compact Sapphire Indigo clematis blooms nearly continuously from June to September with deep purple flowers that shift to a rich blue as they age. These versatile plants can be grown in containers, as groundcovers, or as short vines beneath taller perennials.
Crispa Clematis
Also known as curlflower or swamp leatherflower, Crispa clematis is native to parts of the United States and flowers earlier than most other varieties. These small, bell-shaped blooms add charm to gardens in mid-spring and early fall.
Ernest Markham Clematis
Fast-growing Ernest Markham clematis blooms abundantly from mid-summer to early fall with pinkish-purple flowers that look attractive on trellises, arbors, and garden walls. This deciduous climber has been impressing gardeners since the 1920s.
Happy Birthday Clematis
Celebrate with Happy Birthday clematis, a plant that blooms on both new and old wood with deep purple flowers streaked with red. These small plants are great for pots or flower beds and bloom from May through September.
Cezanne Clematis
Cezanne clematis boasts pale purple flowers with contrasting white stamens, blooming potentially from spring through fall. This compact grower is ideal for small garden spaces and adds beauty with its prolific blooming habit.
Alita Clematis
Alita clematis blooms on new growth throughout the summer months with reddish-purple flowers and creamy-white stamens. These pollinator-friendly plants are resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.
The President Clematis
Since its release in 1876, The President clematis has been a popular choice for home gardens. With its deep purple flowers and reblooming nature, it’s no wonder this clematis variety won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Carnaby Clematis
Perfect for limited spaces, Carnaby clematis keeps gardens colorful with bright raspberry-hued blooms. This plant produces massive flowers that fade to white as they age and can bloom multiple times throughout the season.
Yamato Clematis
Usher in summer with the bright purplish-blue flowers of Yamato clematis, which blooms from late spring to early summer. This unique clematis variety adds a touch of unusual beauty to garden spaces and is worth seeking out for its striking blooms.
Crystal Fountain Clematis
Crystal Fountain clematis produces colorful semi-double flowers throughout summer with pinkish-purple petals complementing its silvery “fountain” of stamens. This unique clematis variety adds a touch of whimsy to garden spaces.
Samaritan Jo Clematis
Samaritan Jo clematis adds a dreamy touch to shady garden corners with its pale, star-shaped flowers edged in deep purple. These compact plants are easy to grow in gardens or pots and offer a beautiful contrast with their dark, leathery leaves.
Piilu Clematis
Gardeners who love peonies will adore Piilu clematis, which produces showy, pinkish-purple flowers with ruffled petals. This plant blooms on both old and new wood throughout the season, adding beauty to flower beds and borders.
Jackmanii Clematis
A classic choice for sunny trellises and arbors, Jackmanii clematis has been a popular variety since the 1800s. The large purple flowers with up to six petals bloom profusely throughout the season, adding charm to garden walls and trellises.
Franziska Maria Clematis
Though small in size, Franziska Maria clematis makes a big impact with its dahlia-like, double-bloomed purple flowers. This plant blooms from June to September and is perfect for containers, flower beds, and groundcovers.
Vyvyan Pennell Clematis
Double-bloomed Vyvyan Pennell clematis boasts deep purple flowers with rosy-lavender highlights. This early bloomer adds a pop of color to gardens and can be grown on trellises, arbors, or as a standalone plant.
Rouge Cardinal Clematis
Rouge Cardinal clematis features deeply saturated crimson petals that appear almost purple in certain light. This plant blooms from midsummer into early fall, adding a fiery touch to garden spaces.
Vasevine Clematis
Also known as Clematis viorna, Vasevine clematis has urn-shaped flowers that bring a magical feel to gardens. These North American native plants are a favorite of pollinators and add a whimsical touch to wildflower gardens.
Maria Therese Clematis
Maria Therese clematis features raspberry-hued streaks on its bright white petals. This striped variety thrives in part shade and adds a touch of elegance to gardens with its attractive blooms.
Fireworks Clematis
Early blooming Fireworks clematis creates an explosion of color with bi-colored flowers in late spring and late summer. The purple petals, magenta barring, and cream-toned centers add a brilliant touch to garden spaces.
Solitary Clematis
Solitary virgin’s bower clematis, also known as bush clematis, is a bushy perennial that doesn’t climb but still offers plenty of charm. Graceful, nodding flowers attract pollinators and songbirds, making this variety a favorite in garden landscapes.
Westerplatte Clematis
Westerplatte clematis features dark, purplish-red flowers that ramble over obelisks, arbors, trees, and walls. This spring bloomer adds a bewitching touch to garden spaces, with the potential for reblooming later in the season.
Gipsy Queen Clematis
Vigorous Gipsy Queen clematis produces a wealth of six inch wide flowers in mid-summer to fall. The flowers start red and shift to a glorious shade of purple, adding a vibrant touch to garden trellises and arbors.
Will Goodwin Clematis
Will Goodwin clematis features ruffly lavender-toned petals with golden yellow centers, perfect for bouquets and floral arrangements. These bee-friendly plants are resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a hardy choice for gardeners.
Mrs. Yuki Clematis
Mrs. Yuki clematis thrives in full sun, with deep reddish-purple petals and bright white centers. These striking plants add a pop of color to gardens and draw the eye with their vibrant blooms.
Abilene Clematis
Abilene clematis adds vertical interest to patios and small spaces with showy, two-toned flowers in lavender and bright pink. These compact vines are perfect for pots or as standalone plants in flower beds.
Julka Clematis
Julka clematis brings drama to garden spaces with velvety, purple-red flowers and bright green leaves. These vines can twine around small trees and trellises or be used as accent plants in garden borders for a striking visual impact.
With so many stunning clematis varieties to choose from, your garden is sure to be bursting with color and beauty throughout the growing season. Whether you opt for a classic variety like ‘Jackmanii’ or a more unique option like ‘Yamato,’ clematis plants are a versatile and show-stopping addition to any landscape.
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