The big colorful star-shaped or bell-shaped blooms, lance-shaped green leaves, and climbing or spreading habit distinguishes Clematis as a group of flowering vines. Among the garden’s most beautiful flowers are Clematis. Large clematis blooms ranging from purple, red, pink, or white in size may reach up to 10 inches (25 cm) across. Dainty star or bell-shaped blooms with thin petals bloom throughout the spring, and small clematis blooms are sweet.
Some of the most gorgeous clematis flowers are covered in this article. Identification of climbing plants suitable for your sunny front or backyard will be aided by descriptions and pictures of the flowering vines.
About Clematis Vines
Clematis vines are hardy climbing or trailing plants with purple, pink, red, and white blooms. They grow up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall. In cool weather, vigorous woody climbing clematis plants grow in full sun to partial shade and thrive. Clematis flowers prefer USDA zones 4 to 9, but some are cold-hardy in zone 3 and others prefer zones 8 to 10.
Clematis plants are known for their lovely flowers. Purple, pink, red, white, yellow, and apricot are some of the hues found in Clematis flowers. Bi-colored petals in pastel hues or big double blooms with pointed petals may be seen on some clematis vine flowers. It’s worth noting that cats and dogs may be poisoned by clematis vines, which may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Pets, on the other hand, avoid eating the plant’s leaves and flowers because they have a bitter taste. Planting Clematis flowers in a deer-resistant garden is another good idea.
Clematis Flower
Clematis flowers can be single, semi-double, or double blooms and range in color from white to purple to red. Clematis varieties with huge blossoms may span 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm). The middle of the showy flowers is usually darker, with a wavy edge.
The size of Clematis blooms and bloom period are used to identify the plant. Large-flowered and small-flowered clematis, for example, exist. Early bloomers and late bloomers may be found among blooming clematis plants, with the former blooming in early spring and the latter blooming in early summer.
Clematis vines with single, semi-double, or double blooms are among the many types of clematis blossoms. The blossoms of the vine are frequently circular in shape. Some clematis blossoms resemble tulip blossoms, while others are bell-shaped, tubular, or appear to be so.
Clematis Leaves
Clematis leaves may have smooth or serrated edges and may be green, blue, or purple in color. Depending on the climate and variety, clematis varieties might be broadleaf evergreen or deciduous. Leaflets may reach 4″ (10 cm) long and 3″ (7.5 cm) broad, and the leaves grow in a complex pattern in groups of three.
The pinnately compound heart-shaped leaves may be smooth to coarsely serrated along their margins, depending on the clematis species. Clematis vine leaves have a pointed tip and a shallowly lobed petiole, which is an identifying characteristic. The blooming clematis vines are also called leather flowers because of the thick, waxy leaves.
How to Identify Clematis
The variety of clematis vine can be identified through its flowers. Clematis blooms bloom in the spring or summer and have cordate or lance-shaped petals. Yet, the flowers with wavy or ruffled petals are recognized on certain clematis vines. Groups of three leaflets grow oppositely on woody stems, making it simple to identify clematis leaves.
Types of Clematis Vines (With Pictures of Flowers) – Identification
Depending on when they bloom and how they grow, Clematis vines are classified into three groups. Spratg bloomers (early blooming), rebloomers, and summer or autumn bloomers (late-flowering clematis) are the three clematis groupings. The flower form, color, and size of Clematis plants are then identified.
Early Blooming Clematis Vines with Large Flowers (with Pictures) – Identification
Woody vines with huge blossoms that are 6″ to 10″ (15 – 25 cm) in diameter bloom early in the season. The star-shaped blooms, available in pastel colors, may be solitary, semi-double, or double. On old wood, the early blooming flowers bloom in the spring and rebloom in late summer or fall on new wood.
Clematis ‘Asao’
Its huge pink blooms with pink and light pink pointed petals and a cluster of yellow stamens in the center distinguish Clematis ‘Asao. A reblooming variety of big woody clematis vine grows best in damp, well-drained soil. Clematis ‘Asao’ is ideal for tiny gardens or growing in pots because to its compact growth habit.
- Clematis flower color: Pink and pale pink.
- Bloom time: Late spring or early summer, followed by early autumn.
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
- Zones: 4 to 9.
- Height: 7 to 10 ft. (2.1 – 3 m).
Clematis ‘Bees Jubilee’
The flowerheads on the clematis vine ‘Bees Jubilee’ have four to seven creamy-pink petals with a dark pink band in the center. To brighten up walls, fences, or grow through shrubs, this scrambling vining plant is ideal for sunny gardens. Early reblooming clematis vines belong to this category.
- Clematis flower color: Pale pink petals with a deep pink central bar.
- Bloom time: In the spring or early summer, flowers bloom, and in the early fall, they rebloom.
- Sun exposure: Full sun or light sun.
- Zones: 4 to 11.
- Height: 6 to 13 ft. (1.8 – 4 m).
Clematis ‘Belle of Woking’
Clematis ‘Belle of Woking,’ a big-flowered vining plant with magnificent showy silvery-mauve or pure white star-shaped double blooms, is a popular cultivar. Heart-shaped leathery leaves distinguish the white-flowering clematis vine. The clematis ‘Belle of Woking’ is perfect for containers, trellises, walls, and arbors because to its tiny stature.
- Clematis flower color: White or silvery-mauve.
- Bloom time: Repeat blooming in late August or early September, with spring through midsummer blooming.
- Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade.
- Zones: 4 to 8.
- Height: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m).
Clematis ‘Bourbon’
The huge blooms of the twining clematis ‘Bourbon’ are deep red, with five or six-petaled flowers and contrasting spindly cream yellow stamens. The light green leathery lanceolate leaves contrast with the brilliant red clematis blossoms, which are 5″ to 6″ (12 – 15 cm) in diameter. From late spring until fall, this red-vining clematis cultivar fills gardens with a burst of flowers.
- Clematis flower color: Bright red.
- Bloom time: Early in the season and late in the season, reblooming is possible.
- Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade.
- Zones: 4 to 9.
- Height: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m).
Clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’
The climbing clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’ has stunning purple blooms with a center white or light purple stripe on each petal. The star-shaped dark purple blossom with the huge tuft of silvery-mauve stamens contrasts with the dark green compound leaves, and is also known as clematis puce. Each 4″ to 5″ (10 to 12 cm) purple blossom is unique.
- Clematis flower color: Dark purple to light purple.
- Bloom time: Flowers reappear in late summer to early fall, usually in the late spring or early summer.
- Sun exposure: Full sun or partial sun.
- Zones: 4 to 9.
- Height: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m).
Clematis ‘Diamantina’
The showy pom-pom purple-blue double blooms of Clematis ‘Diamantina’ are readily recognized in late spring. Flowers grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) across and feature purple petals with ruffled, pink-rimmed edges. Summer blooms bloom for four weeks on short stocky stems and are around for a long time.
- Clematis flower color: Purple-blue flowers with rosy-pink highlights.
- Bloom time: Reblooming in late summer and early fall, first in late spring or early summer.
- Sun exposure: Full sun or partial sun.
- Zones: 4 to 11.
- Height: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m).
Clematis ‘Doctor Ruppel’
The early large-flowered clematis Clematis ‘Doctor Ruppel’ has deep pink central bars on each petal and is easily recognized. At the center of the pink clematis blossom is a puff of creamy-white stamens. Clematis flowers with a brilliant pink, star-shaped form grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) across.
- Clematis flower color: Pale pink margins with reddish-pink centers.
- Bloom time: Late spring or early summer blooms, followed by late summer blooms, with repeated blooms at the end of the season.
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
- Zones: 4 to 11.
- Height: 6 to 12 ft. (1.8 – 3.6 m).
Clematis ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’
The big-flowered clematis Clematis ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ is a magnificent climbing vine with stunning pure white double blossoms. Several rows of pointed petals with recurved tips are used to identify clematis flowers. A tuft of creamy-white stamens sits in the center of the white flower.
On a trellis, arbor, pergola, or supported to a wall, the clematis climber is perfect for producing white flowers. Flowers that are 4″ to 6″ (10 to 15 cm) in diameter glitter with a sheen.
- Clematis flower color: Snow-white with a distinctive shimmer to the petals.
- Bloom time: Late spring/early summer, late summer/early autumn.
- Sun exposure: Full sun but can tolerate some shade.
- Zones: 4 to 8.
- Height: 8 – 12 ft. (2.4 – 3.6 m).
Late Blooming Clematis Vines With Large Flowers (with Pictures) – Identification
The spectacular big flowers that reach 5″ – 8″ (13 – 20 cm) across are characteristic of large-flowered clematis climbing plants that bloom in summer. In late summer or early fall, the hardy clematis vines produce flowers. Late-blooming clematis flowers feature a wide range of colorful petals, much like the early blooming types.
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
This late-blooming, big-flowered vine bears masses of lovely deep purple four- to six-petaled blooms and is known as Jackman’s clematis. A little tuft of yellowish stamens sits in the middle of the huge blossoms with broad, rounded, pointed petals. The eye-catching velvety purple flowers of Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ (3″ to 4″) make it a popular climbing vine.
- Clematis flower color: Dark purple.
- Bloom time: Late-blooming clematis that blooms on new growth in Group 3.
- Sun exposure: Full sun.
- Zones: 4 to 11.
- Height: 8 to 12 ft. (2.4 – 3.6 m).
Clematis ‘Blue Angel’
The clematis ‘Blue Angel’ produces lovely light lilac or lavender blooms with four or five papery petals arranged in the form of a star. The free-flowering climbing vine turns into a sea of ruffled lavender-blue flowers when it blooms late in the season and lasts for several weeks. The little, leathery clematis leaves contrast nicely with these pale lavender blooms.
- Clematis flower color: Pale lavender-blue or lilac.
- Bloom time: Early spring through early autumn.
- Sun exposure: Full to partial sun.
- Zones: 4 to 9.
- Height: 10 to 15 ft. (3 – 4.5 m)
Clematis ‘Ernest Markham’
The vivid magenta blooms with velvety-smooth ruffled petals distinguish the climbing clematis Clematis ‘Ernest Markham. The contrast of yellowish stamens in the flower’s center is the stunning aspect of these deep red clematis blossoms. Beautiful floral displays climb over arbors, trellises, walls, or fences with the eye-catching dark red blossoms and light green lanceolate leaves.
- Clematis flower color: Deep burgundy or magenta red.
- Bloom time: Midsummer to early fall.
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
- Zones: 4 to 11.
- Height: 10 to 12 ft. (3 – 3.6 m).
Clematis ‘Fond Memories’
The cream-white petals of Clematis ‘Fond Memories’ blend with a purple-pink tint and a delicate rosy-lavender outline on a lovely star-shaped clematis plant. A deep reddish-purple tuft of stamens is the focal point of the pinkish-white blossom. In early summer, the long-blooming clematis blooms, which may be up to 7 inches (18 cm) broad.
- Clematis flower color: Pinkish-white with a distinct dark pink pencil outline.
- Bloom time: The flowers bloom from early summer to early autumn in the clematis group 3.
- Sun exposure: Full sun.
- Zones: 6 to 10.
- Height: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 cm).
Clematis Vines with Small Flowers (with Pictures) – Identification
Little star or bell-shaped or drooping tubular flowers with recurved petals create a spectacular floral display, and small-flowered clematis vines are recognized by them. Hardy foliage, sweet scents, cold tolerance, and abundant blooming from mid-spring through late summer are all features of deciduous climbers with tiny flowers. The fragrant flowers of the little, vividly colored clematis brighten up any garden.
Clematis ‘Apple Blossom’
The cultivar Clematis ‘Apple Blossom’ has gorgeous pale pink or white almond-scented flowers that are absolutely stunning. The four to six thin rounded petals of each white clematis blossom form a cross or star pattern. The crimson stems and clematis leaves, which are long, waxy, leathery evergreen leaves, contrast with the pinkish-white blossoms. Blooms 2″ (5 cm) in diameter are produced by fast-growing vigorous clematis vines.
- Clematis flower color: White with a pinkish tinge.
- Bloom time: Early spring.
- Sun exposure: Full sun.
- Zones: 7 – 11.
- Height: 20 to 40 ft. (6 – 12 m) long and wide.
Clematis ‘Frankie’
Clematis ‘Frankie’ has masses of bell-shaped purple-blue nodding flowers that bloom throughout the season. The slightly recurved petals of the blue flowers dangle from fuzzy stems. The little, exquisite clematis blooms have a diameter of about 2″ (5 cm). Its slender green leaves with serrated edges distinguish the Clematis ‘Frankie.’
- Clematis flower color: With light blue borders, it is medium purple-blue to lavender.
- Bloom time: Mid-spring to late spring.
- Sun exposure: Full sun or partial sun.
- Zones: 3 to 9.
- Height: 6 – 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m).
Clematis ‘Virginiana’
Clematis is a perennial climbing plant with aromatic pure white flowers and leathery green leaves with serrated edges. It is known for its rapid growth and prolific blooming. Tendrils are used by the climbing vine to attach itself to structures. For full sun ground cover without support, this clematis cultivar is ideal.
woodbine, virgin’s bower, and old man’s beard are some of the names given to the climber. The little white, cross-shaped clematis blooms produce a lovely-smelling, sweet-scented fragrance and are 1.25″ (3 cm) in diameter.
- Clematis flower color: Brilliant white.
- Bloom time: The fall.
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade.
- Zones: 3 to 8.
- Height: 12 to 20 ft. (3.6 – 6 m).
Purple Pitcher’s Leather Flower Clematis
The leatherflower clematis has dark purple blooms with recurved white tips and is also known as Clematis pitcheri. Little dangling tulips look like the nodding clematis bell-shaped blooms. Profusion of small purple clematis blooms grows amid three-leaf clumps amid heart-shaped waxy compound leaves. The leatherflower clematis has 1″ (2.5 cm) long blooms that are urn-shaped.
- Clematis flower color: Purple and white.
- Bloom time: Late spring through early summer is the best time to visit.
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
- Zones: 5 to 9.
- Height: 4 to 7 ft. (1.2 – 2.1 m) and up to 3 ft. (1 m) wide.