It might surprise you to learn that sometimes it can be difficult for me to come up with what I consider a fresh topic for my garden blog, but you have to remember that I have been doing this continually, every two weeks, for the past 25 years (my first local column came out in 2001). I was pondering this predicament while taking some time to untangle the vine section when suddenly one stunning Clematis bloom after another starting screaming (that is, in my head) pick me. So, I just pulled out my phone, took photos of those enticing Clematis flowers and my topic selection impasse came to an end. Here are those breathtaking varieties, followed by a little general advice on how to successfully grow the Queen of Climbers.

‘Proteus’

A hundred-year-old cultivar with dazzling magenta-tipped double lavender blooms every spring, followed by single flowers in the fall. Grows 6-9’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept.
Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Louise Rowe’

This delicate double-flowering variety features pastel mauve petals that almost seem to glow when illuminated by the spring sunshine. Grows 6-9’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Charmaine’

Luscious, red-velvet textured petals of an intense burgundy that are beautifully contrasted by the pale-yellow stamens. Grows 4-6’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Royalty’

Regal, intense indigo blue petals are further enhanced by a rich purple bar and the distinct ruffled double form. Grows 6-9’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Vancouver Cotton Candy’

A cheerful single with large 6-8” wide blooms of pure white petals with a bold raspberry-pink bar, contrasted by bright golden stamens. Grows 6-9’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Julka’

The flowers are a bit smaller than the similarly coloured ‘Mrs. N Thompson’ but the bicolour purple, velvet-red flowers are produced continually, for months on end. Grows 6-9’ tall. B2 Group June-Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Vancouver Daybreak’

The lustrous pale lavender petals are sharply accented by unusual reddish-purple stamens on impressive blooms than can reach up to 9” in diameter. Grows 6-9’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Haku Ookan’

A semi-double variety which features uniquely tapered petals and an intense deep violet hue that is contrasted nicely by the creamy-white stamens. Grows 6-9’ tall. B Group
May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Crystal Fountain’

This unusual Japanese variety from Evison features very fringed lavender petaloids over darker base petals with a shadow of a reddish-green bar. Grows 5-8’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept-Oct. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

‘Vancouver Blue Lion’

This was my first in-person experience with this highly ruffled violet-blue double variety (with magenta tips) from Clearview, and I am happy to report that it did not fail to impress. Grows 6’ tall. B Group May-June & Sept. Hardy to USDA zone 4.

📸 MK Lascelle

To finish things off, here are a few simple Clematis growing tips.

1. Choose your height carefully, as cultivars can vary from four to forty feet tall at maturity.
2. Plan to grow your Clematis with its crown in part to full sun, but with the roots kept cool by shading with low shrubs, annuals or perennials.
3. Choose a site with good drainage and provide even moisture during the heat of summer.
4. Fertilize once in early spring using a granular fertilizer such
   as GardenPRO 8-12-16 Perennial & Vine.
5. Know your pruning group.
   1. A. Remove any dead or weak stems immediately after flowering.
   2. B. Prune in late February or early March by leaving some stems intact (to bloom early) and cutting others back (to flower later).
   3. C. Prune in late February or early March by cutting back all stems to two sets of strong buds.

Copyright 2026 MK Lascelle