Clematis viticella (Italian Clematis): History, Characteristics & Cultivation

Clematis viticella, also known as Italian Clematis or Virgin’s Bower is native to Southern Europe, particularly the Mediterranean region, including Italy, from where it gets its common name. It thrives in the wild in regions with warm summers and mild winters. Clematis viticella was one of the earliest clematis species to be introduced into British gardens, dating back to the 16th century.

It was brought into the UK around 1569 by Hugh Morgan, an apothecary to Queen Elizabeth I. The plant was valued not only for its ornamental qualities but was also believed to have medicinal properties at the time. The name “Virgin’s Bower” suggests its association with purity or perhaps its use in gardens dedicated to the Virgin Mary, common in historical monastic or church gardens.

Today, Clematis viticella and its cultivars remain popular due to their ease of growth, the beauty of their nodding flowers, and their role in extending the flowering season of clematis into late summer and autumn.

Characteristics

  • Flowers: Clematis viticella produces an abundance of small to medium-sized flowers, typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4-6 cm) in diameter. The flowers are usually bell-shaped or nodding, with colors ranging from blue, violet, purple to pink, and red, depending on the cultivar. There are also white varieties. They often have a delicate appearance with sepals that can twist or recurve slightly.
  • Growth Habit: This species is known for its vigorous climbing ability, easily reaching 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) in a season. It uses its leaf petioles to cling to supports, making it excellent for growing over walls, fences, pergolas, or through trees and shrubs.
  • Bloom Time: It blooms from mid-summer through to fall, providing a lengthy period of color.
  • Foliage: The leaves are usually pinnate or bipinnate, with a green, sometimes slightly bluish hue, offering a fine texture that contrasts well with other garden plants.
  • Pruning Group: Belongs to Pruning Group 3 (also known as Group C). This means it should be pruned hard in late winter or early spring, cutting back to a pair of strong buds about 12 inches (30 cm) from the ground. This encourages new growth on which flowers will bloom.

Cultivation

  • Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate some shade, more sun typically results in better flowering.
  • Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. It can adapt to various soil types but prefers neutral to alkaline conditions.
  • Watering: Needs regular watering, especially during dry spells, but the soil should not be waterlogged.
  • Planting: Plant deeply to encourage multiple stems from below soil level, which can help the plant recover if affected by clematis wilt. Ensure the roots are shaded or mulched to keep them cool.
  • Support: Provide robust support as it can grow quite tall and dense. It’s ideal for covering structures or growing through other plants.
  • Mulching: Apply mulch to retain soil moisture, keep roots cool, and suppress weeds.
  • Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring as new growth begins, and possibly a bloom booster fertilizer to promote flowering.
  • Disease and Pests: Generally more resistant to clematis wilt than large-flowered hybrids. However, watch for signs of fungal diseases like powdery mildew, and occasional pests like aphids or caterpillars.
  • Winter Care: Since it’s pruned back hard in spring, there’s little to no need for winter protection in regions where it’s hardy (typically USDA zones 4-9).

Cultivars

  • ‘Etoile Violette’: Deep violet-purple flowers, very popular due to its free-flowering nature.
  • ‘Polish Spirit’: Rich purple-blue flowers, known for its vigor and late flowering.
  • ‘Madame Julia Correvon’: Features wine-red flowers with a slightly twisted appearance.
  • ‘Purpurea Plena Elegans’: Known for its double flowers that are a dusky purplish-mauve.

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