Content Detail
Italian clematis is a species of clematis with purple or violet flowers that are shaped like hanging bells.
- Family (English) Buttercup
- Family (botanic) Ranunculaceae
- Tree or plant type Ground cover, Vine
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Non-native
- Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
- Soil preference Acid soil, Alkaline soil, Moist, well-drained soil
- Tolerances Alkaline soil
- Season of interest early summer, midsummer
- Flower color and fragrance Blue, Purple
- Shape or form Vining
- Growth rate Fast
Size and Method of Climbing:
Italian clematis is a relatively small vine, growing about 10-12 feet long. It is a twining vine with twining petioles. Twining vines climb by twisting their stems or leaf stalks around a support. This type of vine grows well on trellises, arbors, wires, or chain-link fences.
Native geographic location and habitat:
Italian Clematis is native to Italy and Turkey.
Leaf description:
The leaves are opposite and pinnately divided.
Flower description:
The flowers are purple to violet in color. They are bell-shaped and composed of four petal-like sepals.
Fruit description:
The fruits are groups of achenes, each with a short tail.
Plant care:
Italian Clematis prefers full sun to partial sun. Some shade during the day can be beneficial in hot summers. It does best in moist, well-drained soils. Mulch to help keep the roots cool. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil pH. It flowers on new wood, so it should be pruned in winter or early spring.
List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:
Leaf spots are common among clematis, as is stem wilt, a more serious problem. Powdery mildew can also occur. It is tolerant of black walnut toxicity.
Betty Corning clematis (Clematis ‘Betty Corning’):
This is a cross between Clematis crispa and C. viticella. It has lavender flowers that are fragrant. It flowers on both new and old wood.
Etoile Violette clematis (Clematis ‘Etoile Violette’):
This cultivar has deep purple flowers that are produced in abundance.
Pink Mink® clematis (Clematis ‘Krakowiak’):
This cultivar has pink flowers with deeper pink stripes.
Polish Spirit clematis (Clematis ‘Polish Spirit’):
This cultivar flowers heavily for much of the season.
Purpurea Plena Elegans clematis (Clematis ‘Purpurea Plena Elegans’):
A double flowered cultivar with rose-purple color.
Venosa Violacea clematis (Clematis ‘Venosa Violacea’):
The flowers have a white background with blue-purple veins and margins.
