Common Name: clematis
Type: Vine
Family: Ranunculaceae
Native Range: Garden origin
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 6.00 to 10.00 feet
Spread: 3.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Bluish purple with creamy stamens
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut
Culture
Easily grown in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Clematis generally prefer full sun, but this hybrid has some tolerance for part shade. Roots should be mulched to help keep roots cool and uniformly moist. Intolerant of heavy clay soils. Prune to the ground in early spring before new grow appears.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Clematis × durandii is a smaller flowered, non-twining, deciduous vine which features showy, 4" diameter, bluish purple flowers with creamy stamens from early summer into fall. Blooms on new growth. Noted for its long bloom period. A cross between C. jackmanii and C. integrifolia.
Genus name comes from the Greek word klematis which is an old name applied to climbing plants.
Problems
Clematis wilt is a potentially fatal fungal disease that can affect any clematis, but large-flowered, hybrid varieties are the most susceptible. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust and viruses can also be problematic. Potential insect pests include aphids, vine weevils, slugs/snails, scale and earwigs. Watch for spider mites.
Uses
This clematis is best grown as a scrambling rather than an ascending vine. Let it sprawl over and through large shrubs, over old tree stumps or ramble on the ground in a corner of a perennial border. Also may be tied and trained up a support structure. An excellent vine for long-lasting, often spectacular, summer to fall bloom.