Mix varieties of these flowering plants for an array of colors, flower forms, foliage and bloom seasons. Clematis plants are not only vibrant but they also come in a wide range of heights. Some varieties grow above 20 feet tall. You can buy clematis at Spring Hill Nurseries right now and find the right plant for your garden. Please note that not all clematis plants should be pruned in the same way. For more information, see our EZ Pruning Guide and blog. Read more about Ready to Grow clematis from Newswire.
Clematis vines are one of the most popular climbing plants for gardens. With their beautiful and bountiful blooms clematis vines can add vertical interest and pops of color to fences, arbors trellises, and more. If you’re looking to add some clematis to your outdoor space, you may be wondering where to find clematis vines for sale near me. The good news is that clematis vines are widely available from garden centers, nurseries, and online plant retailers. Here’s what you need to know about finding and buying clematis vines locally or ordering them online.
What are Clematis Vines?
Clematis are flowering vines that belong to the Ranunculaceae family. There are over 300 species of clematis which are mainly native to temperate regions. Most clematis vines popular with home gardeners are hybrid cultivars bred for their prolific flowers.
Clematis vines use their leaf stems to climb up supports. They wrap their stems around whatever they are growing on, whether it’s a trellis, fence, arbor, or other garden structure. Clematis can grow quite long, with some varieties reaching lengths of 10-20 feet. However, through proper pruning, clematis vines can be maintained at more manageable lengths.
The flowers of different clematis species and cultivars come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Flower shapes include open bell-like forms as well as tighter blossoms that unfurl as they mature. Common clematis bloom colors are purple, pink, red, white, and bi-colors. Many clematis vines also have yellow stamens that contrast nicely with the petals.
Clematis vines bloom at different times, with flowers appearing in early spring, late spring, early summer, mid-summer, and fall. The blooming seasons overlap, so it’s possible to have clematis vines flowering from spring through fall by planting early and late-blooming varieties together. Some clematis even offer a second flush of flowers in the same season if properly deadheaded.
Where to Find Clematis Vines for Sale Near Me
Finding clematis locally is usually not too difficult, as they are a very popular type of climbing vine. Here are some places to check for clematis vines for sale near you:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Independent nurseries and garden centers are a great place to find clematis vines in your area. Most will carry a selection of the most popular clematis varieties. The staff should be able to advise you on planting, siting, and caring for clematis in your climate.
An advantage of buying clematis at local nurseries is you can see the vines and flowers in person. This allows you to better judge the plant’s health and vigor before purchasing.
Hardware Stores and Home Improvement Centers
Many home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a variety of clematis vines in their garden centers. These big box stores may not have the selection of a specialty nursery, but they do carry some of the most widely available and easiest to grow clematis cultivars.
The convenience of buying clematis vines while you’re shopping for other items is a plus. Just be sure to carefully inspect the plants before purchasing, as the quality of stock can vary.
Online Mail Order Nurseries
Can’t find the clematis you want locally? Ordering clematis vines online opens up many more possibilities. Online and mail order nurseries sell clematis varieties that may not be readily available in your area. They frequently have extensive catalogs with options from bare root clematis for early spring planting to potted clematis that can be planted later in the season.
Reputable online nurseries package their plants with care to avoid damage during shipping. Look for those that guarantee live delivery. Order early while supplies are best.
Some top options for buying clematis vines online include:
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Brushwood Nursery – Specializes in clematis, with 100+ varieties. Bare root and potted plants available.
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Bluestone Perennials – Wide selection of potted clematis that can be shipped April-October.
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Spring Hill Nurseries – 50+ clematis cultivars to choose from, with detailed growing information.
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White Flower Farm – Classic New England nursery with many rare and unusual clematis.
No matter where you buy clematis, always look for strong, healthy plants without damage, pests, or disease. This will give you vines that establish and grow their best.
When to Buy Clematis Vines
Clematis vines are sold in either bare root or containerized forms:
Bare Root Clematis
Bare root clematis vines are usually available in late winter through early spring. These dormant plants are dug from fields with no soil around their roots. Bare root clematis should be planted as soon as possible after purchasing.
The advantage of bare root clematis is they are often less expensive than potted plants. They also tend to establish well since their roots aren’t disturbed during planting.
Potted Clematis
Potted or container clematis are sold in pots or packs with soil around their root systems. They are available from spring through fall. You’ll have the best selection in spring and early summer.
Potted clematis vines can be planted any time during the growing season, as they experience minimal transplant shock. This makes them ideal if you’re adding clematis to your garden mid-season.
How to Select the Best Clematis Vines
When buying clematis, choose plants that are healthy and vigorous. Here’s what to look for:
- Sturdy stems at least 1⁄4 inch thick
- Abundant foliage with no yellowing
- Compact root systems for bare root plants
- Established rootballs for container plants
- No signs of pests, diseases, wilting, or damage
Check clematis flower labels to learn the expected bloom time, color, and mature size to find varieties suited to your needs. While buying, avoid purchasing clematis vines that are:
- Stressed with limp stems or brown leaves
- Overgrown and rootbound (potted plants)
- Suffering from botrytis or other fungal issues
- Infested with insects or eggs
- Excessively dry or damaged from improper storage
Selecting and planting high quality clematis vines from the start gives your plants their best opportunity to thrive.
How to Plant and Grow Clematis Successfully
Here are some tips to help your new clematis vines grow well:
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Plant in spring or fall – The best times to plant clematis are in early spring before growth starts or in fall after plants become dormant. This avoids summer heat stress.
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Prepare the site – Give clematis vines a spot with at least 6 hours of sun and well-drained soil enriched with compost. Dig in organic material to a depth of 18 inches.
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Plant at the proper depth – Bury bare root or container clematis so the root crown is 2 inches below soil level. This allows shoots to form along the buried stems.
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Provide support – Install climbing supports at planting time. Use thin branches, wires, or mesh that clematis can twist their leaf stems around.
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Water thoroughly – saturate the soil after planting and water new clematis vines regularly until established. Fertilize a few times in the first season with a balanced fertilizer.
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Prune correctly – Pruning clematis properly maximizes flowering. Pruning strategy depends on the variety – do your research.
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Protect from frost – Insulate clematis in very cold zones by mounding mulch around the base in late fall.
With proper siting, planting, pruning, and care, your clematis vines will grow vigorously and reward you with abundant flowers.
Gorgeous Clematis Varieties to try in your Garden
Looking for recommendations on what clematis to plant? Here are 15 stellar varieties to consider:
Early Season Bloomers
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Henryi – Large, creamy white flowers from June to September. Grows 10-12 feet. Prune Group B
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Alpina – Profuse nodding blue bells appear in late spring. Compact at 3-6 feet. Prune Group A
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Princess Diana – Early bloomer with stunning striped pink and white flowers. Grows to 8 feet. Prune Group B.
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Miss Bateman – Spring blooms are rich purple with contrasting yellow stamens. Reaches 6-8 feet. Prune Group B.
Mid Season Bloomers
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The President – Velvety rich purple blooms up to 8 inches across from May-Sept. Grows 10-14 feet. Prune Group C.
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Ernest Markham – flowers continuously summer through fall. Rich red blooms with yellow centers. Grows 10-12 feet tall. Prune Group B.
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H.F. Young – Floriferous blue blooms from early summer into fall. Compact at 4-8 feet. Prune Group B.
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Nelly Moser – Pale pink flowers with dark pink bars. Blooms spring to late summer. 8-12 feet tall. Prune Group C.
Late Season Bloomers
–Jackmanii – The most popular clematis with deep violet-purple flowers summer into fall. Grows 8-12 feet. Prune Group C.
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Roguchi – Distinctive bell-shaped lavender-blue blooms with wavy edges midsummer into fall. Grows 8-10 feet tall. Prune Group C.
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Sweet Summer Love – Cherry red semi-double flowers summer till frost. Grows to 6 feet. Prune Group B.
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Comtesse de Bouchard – Showy pink flowers June through September. Grows 6-8 feet tall. Prune Group C.
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Polish Spirit – Large rich purple blooms from July through September. Grows 10-13 feet. Prune Group B.
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Multi-Blue – Vibrant purple-blue flowers summer through early fall. Compact grower at 5-8 feet tall. Prune Group C.
–Warsaw Nike – Fragrant reddish-purple flowers from July through frost. Grows to about 8 feet tall. Prune Group B.
This is just a small sampling of exceptional clematis varieties available. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find clematis vines that will enhance your outdoor space with beautiful blooms and captivating color. Whether buying locally or ordering online, look at clematis as an investment that blooms for years to come.
How to plant Clematis plants
Clematis plants aren’t very picky; they usually do well in a variety of conditions. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best place for them to grow. First, pick a spot with soil that drains well, or be ready to change the soil to make a spot that drains well. Clematis vines like the sun but do not have to have full sun. Most clematis do well in full sun to partial shade, and despite what some people think, they don’t need to keep their feet in the shade. A thick layer of mulch around the base of your clematis will help to keep its roots cool.
A trellis is a good thing for your clematis to climb, so “plant” it at the same time you plant the clematis. To climb, clematis plants wrap their leaves around things instead of twining like morning glories do, so make sure that the thing you want to climb is easy for the plant to grab. Use a trellis with thin (under one half-inch) rods, or try netting made of twine or line.
Once you’ve picked a spot for your clematis vines, take them out of their pot or wrap and soak their roots in a bucket of water for about fifteen minutes. When you plant your clematis, make sure the largest part of its roots can spread out in the hole you dig for it. Also, make sure the plant’s base nodes go all the way into the ground.
Before you put the soil back in the hole where you planted your clematis, you might want to add some good organic compost to help it grow quickly in the new soil.
The climbing structure should be placed at the same time you plant the clematis. If you put up a trellis, arch, or climbing net, your clematis vines can start twining around their new supports right away. You won’t hurt the plant’s roots by staking the supports into the ground before the roots have started to grow. Water in well, and water your clematis vines a few times a week. Once theyve settled in and new growth begins, clematis will benefit from a 10-30-20 fertilizer.
How to grow Clematis vines
The question of “how to grow clematis vines” is not as important if you have a healthy clematis plant. The question is “how to train clematis vines.” But these happy, strong growers don’t mind being trained or shaped to fit your garden. They’ll reward you with years of beautiful blooms after a little work getting them started.
Choose a sunny spot for your clematis vine. When you plant, it’s best to take some of the soil away and mix it with soil that has been amended with compost. Then, put the soil back over the clematis roots. Even though clematis plants don’t like it too wet, make sure the soil stays moist during their first growing season. After that, water them regularly. Your clematis will grow well if you give it a balanced fertilizer like a 10-30-20 several times during the growing season.
Clematis need something to climb on, or they will cease flowering. So, youll need to place a thinly-hewn trellis or climbing netting near your clematis. Some clematis plants have leaf tendrils that wrap around their supports. However, clematis vines are not thick and woody like wisteria vines would be.
Clematis are perennials, meaning that, with a little care, theyll come back year after year. As part of that care, you may need to prune your clematis. However, not all clematis should be pruned in the same way. Some types of clematis can only flower on “old wood,” which means that their branches need to stay whole through the winter and into the spring after. If you have a clematis variety that blooms best on old wood, its best to avoid pruning. But if you have to prune, do it only after the flowers have died and only to get rid of damage or keep things neat.
Other clematis flowers on old or new vines; be careful when pruning these types to keep the healthy stems from last year for the best flowering.
Last but not least, some types of clematis flower on new vines that grow every year or on stems near the bottom of older vines. Hard-prune these clematis in the spring and as often as you want during the season to get them to bloom again and keep them neat.
Spring-and summer-blooming clematis benefit from deadheading, so remove faded flowers from these plants to encourage reblooming. It’s likely that these clematis vines bloom on old wood and again on new growth. This means that getting rid of faded blooms can help them produce more flowers.
35 Best Vines for Containers | Climbing Plants for Pots
FAQ
What is the best clematis to buy?
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Rating
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Clematis
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Flower color
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★★★
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‘Ascotiensis’
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Lavender-blue
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★★★
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Avant-garde™ (‘Evipo033’)
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Red and pink, double
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★★★★
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‘Bees’ Jubilee’
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Mauve-pink, darker bar
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★★★
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‘Betty Corning’ (v)
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Pink-mauve
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