Clematis Blooming Under My Pergola

June 18, 2025

Clematis are among the most decorative and spectacular of all the flowering vines and they're just beginning to bloom beautifully at my farm.

Over the years I have grown many varieties of this wonderful plant. When I purchased my Bedford, New York farm, I knew I wanted to build a long, winding pergola where I could grow lots of clematis. After the pergola was constructed, I concentrated on creating a palette of blue-flowering cultivars and each year I always enjoy the vivid floral display.

Enjoy these photos.

: Depending on the species, clematis can start blooming anywhere from late winter to early spring and then continue flowering through the summer and into early fall. This time every year, there are lots of gorgeous blossoms under my long pergola. Clematis is a genus of about 300-species within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The name Clematis comes from the Greek word “klematis,” meaning vine.

: Each pair of posts under the pergola supports the same variety. Known as the “Queen of the Climbers,” Clematis plants will train onto posts, trellises, and fences, or arch gracefully over doorways. Right now, the pergola is also showing off tall alliums.

: Copper wire is wrapped around each post, so the climbing tendrils of the clematis vines could attach easily. The uprights for this pergola are antique granite posts from China originally used as grape supports. They’re perfect as posts because they don’t rot over time like wood does. A friend of mine acquired a lot of stone from this valley and I purchased a couple hundred of these posts. I only wish I had bought more of them.

: Most species are called clematis, but it has also been called traveller’s joy, virgin’s bower, leather flower, or vase vine. It’s also been called “Old Man’s Beard,” because of the long fluffy seed heads that look similar to an old man’s beard.

: Clematis are native to China and Japan and are known to be vigorous, woody climbers.

: The standard clematis flower has six or seven petals, measuring five to six inches across. Colors range from lavender to deep purple, white to wine red, and even a few in yellow.

: Clematis leaves grow in pairs along the stems. The clematis leaf shapes vary with different varieties, but knowing how they grow can help differentiate them from other vines.

: For this area, I chose various shades of lavender, purple, and blue.

: Many clematis are lightly scented. Flowers vary in shape and sizes. They can be flat, tubular or bell-shaped and can be as small as one-inch wide.

: Some of the flowers are very light colored with interesting centers.

: Once established, clematis should be watered about an inch or so weekly, and more deeply during dry spells.

: Some clematis cultivars will bloom in partial shade, but to really thrive, they need at least six-hours of sun each day. Just think, “head in the sun, feet in the shade.” The vines like sun, but cool, moist soil.

: Some of the clematis varieties grown here include ‘Parisienne,’ ‘Blue Angel,’ ‘Jackmanii,’ ‘Sapphire Indigo,’ ‘Arabella,’ ‘Contessa de Bouchard,’ and ‘Eyers Gift.’

: It can take several years for a clematis vine to mature and begin flowering prolifically. To shorten the wait, purchase a plant that’s at least two-years old. Clematis also prefer soil that’s neutral to slightly alkaline in pH.

: This is Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’, which has slightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from summer to fall.

: Here is a similar variety in pinkish purple.

: And in the center of the pergola, I have Veilchenblau roses. This is a vigorous, almost thornless, spring blooming rambler. The blooms start out reddish purple, then turn a dark violet and fade to lilac and blue.

: Anyone who passes just takes in the sweet and strong fragrance of these roses – a mix of citrus and apple.

: Across the carriage road from my pergola, I also have some clematis vines planted at the base of several bald cypress trees. On these trees, we used twine to secure the climbing vines.