Clematis alpina, an abundance of blue

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Clematis alpina bestows us with purple blue blooming that is simply beautiful.

Key Clematis alpina facts

Name – Clematis Alpina
Family – Ranunculaceae
Type – vine

Height – 10 feet (3 meters)
Exposure – full sun, part sun
Soil – deep and cool

Foliage: deciduous  –   Flowering: April to May

Both easy and early, you’ll enjoy its abundant flowers early in spring.

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Planting Clematis alpina

You’ll be planting your Clematis alpina preferably in fall for proper root development before winter and better regrowth in spring.

However, if purchased in a nursery pot, you can also plant your clematis alpina in spring, as long as it doesn’t freeze.

• Clematis alpina copes well with part sun but dies off in scorching heat.

Something really important is that the base of the plant must stay in the shade. Plant other flowers around the base to cover it and keep it cool.
It the base is in direct sun, as in, if sunlight will hit the root collar, then cover it with for example an old tile or a few odd rocks.

• Plant the foot of the plant about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) from the lattice or structure you expect it to climb along.
• Lean the young seedling towards the wall or lattice that is will hang from later on.
• Fertilize the plant right at the moment of planting with a little compost or dehydrated manure. Doing so will  support stronger growth.
• Layering and preparing cuttings are equally easy to succeed for clematis.

Growing Clematis alpina in pots

Clematis alpina is perfectly suited to growing in pots due to its slow growth.

• Proper flower plant soil mix is required.
• The pot must have a drainage hole at the bottom and must be wide enough.
• Repotting every 2 or 3 years will be a necessity for your potted clematis to keep growing and blooming.

Pruning and caring for Clematis alpina

Pruning isn’t a necessity on Clematis alpina.

You can nonetheless prune to constrain its growth or remodel your Clematis alpina.

• It is usually pruned and trimmed after flowering, usually during the month of May.

Beautiful Clematis alpina varieties

Clematis alpina, though naturally blue, now comes in other colors as well. For instance:

• Clematis alpina ‘Ruby’ has pinkish-purple blooms
• the ‘Constance’ alpine clematis has wonderful blooms with a gradient: pink on the edges and pastel purple near the center
• ‘Stolwijk Gold’ bears leafage that is a golden green color. It blooms abundantly
• Lastly, the ‘Pamela Jackman clematis bears larger, open-petaled flowers.

Other subspecies have also developed, like the Clematis alpina subsp. ochotensis shown here.

All there is to know about Alpine Clematis

Native to the Alps mountain range, this climbing vine’s unique characteristic is an an abundant and generous blue flower-bearing. Unlike other species, this clematis has smaller flowers.

Its hardiness means that Clematis alpina resists spring freezing and is suited to most climate types, because if ever the branches die of frostbite, it will send off new shoots from the base almost infallibly.

Clematis decidedly deserve their nickname: Queen of vines.

Watering Clematis alpina

Watering is a good idea over the 2 first years, but no need to add fertilizer. Doesn’t this make it an easy plant to care for?

• In pots, water Clematis alpina regularly, especially in summer
• Maintain moisture in the soil.
• Always protect the base of the plant with a tile or shingle or stone to keep it cool.

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