8.5k gardener saves
Clematis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 220 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Clematis varieties
Of 220 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedTie Dye Clematis
Clematis viticella 'Tie Dye'
#2 most savedDr. Ruppel Clematis
Clematis x jackmanii 'Dr Ruppel'
#3 most savedYuan Clematis
Clematis viticella 'Yuan'
Burning Love Clematis
Clematis x cartmanii 'Burning Love'
Viva Polonia Clematis
Clematis x hybrida 'Viva Polonia'
Tsukiko Clematis
Clematis x durandii 'Tsukiko'
The President Clematis
Clematis viticella 'The President'
Clematis Edda
Clematis x hybrida 'Edda'
Taiga Clematis
Clematis x durandii 'Taiga'
Clematis Chloe
Clematis x jouiniana 'Chloe'
Fireflame Clematis
Clematis viticella 'Fireflame'
Bees Jubilee Clematis
Clematis viticella 'Bees Jubilee'
Browse all 220 Clematis varieties →
How to grow Clematis
What the Clematis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Clematis year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Hard prune (Group 3) in late winter/early spring to 12-18 inches above ground
- FertilizeMarch and May100% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth
- MulchMarch and April95% of varieties
Apply thick mulch layer to keep roots cool and moist
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October43% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall, ensuring the crown is 2 inches below soil level
- StakeMarch–May35% of varieties
Tie new growth to support structure; this variety does not cling
- DeadheadJune–August30% of varieties
Remove spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
Do
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring and summer
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid planting in poorly drained soil
- Don’t neglect support structures
What goes wrong with Clematis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Distorted or sticky leaves with sooty mold | Use neem oil spray or insecticidal soap |
| Clematis wilt | Wilting and blackening of stems | Remove affected stems and improve air circulation |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on stems and leaves | Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or miticide |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Use fungicidal spray and improve air flow |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Clematis
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch sections just below a node.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil or potting mix.
- Keep soil moist and place in indirect sunlight.
- Roots typically develop in 6 weeks.
Layering
- Choose a flexible, low-growing stem in early spring.
- Bury a section of stem in soil, leaving the tip exposed.
- Secure with a U-shaped pin or stone.
- Water regularly and wait for roots to form in 3–4 months.
- Cut from the parent plant and transplant.
Clematis questions
How many types of Clematis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 220 distinct Clematis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 8.5k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Clematis grow in?
Across its varieties, Clematis covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Clematis bloom?
Most Clematis varieties bloom in summer to early fall, late spring, summer, mid-summer to early fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Clematis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Clematis
Clematis shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Clematis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
