Clematis Hybrids Clematis hybrida

Clematis hybrids are cultivated herbaceous or woody, perennial, twining vines in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. They are derived from two large-flowered clematises that arrived in England in the late 19th century from China. They were used by nurserymen for crossing to make large-flowered hybrids that could be grown commercially. The first of these was ‘Jackmanii,’ created by George Jackman in England at Jackman’s Nursery. The genus name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems.

Clematis hybrids prefer clay, loam, or sandy soils with a pH near 7. Keep the soil cool (by mulching or overplanting), evenly moist, and well-drained. The clematis hybrids tolerate partial shade but will flower best in full sun. Propagate by stem cutting. 

Today, there may be 1,000 Clematis hybrids that bloom spring, summer, and fall in shades of blue, pink, red, white, purple, yellow, cream, and bi-colors. During a single growing season, a large-flowered hybrid may produce over 100 star- or saucer-shaped blossoms ranging in size from 4 to 10 inches in diameter. The flowers may be single, double, or semi-double. 

Clematis hybrids are weak climbers and may perform best as an interesting ground cover in a naturalized area, a garden accent or specimen, a container plant, or even a houseplant. Their flowers are showy, fragrant, and long-blooming.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests of clematis vary from slugs and earwigs to deer and rabbit (herbivores only eat young shoots, which have not yet developed the toxin).

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.