Clematis viticella
"Italian leather flower"
Orders placed before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
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UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
Clematis viticella, also known as the Italian leather flower or virgin’s bower, is a timeless climbing beauty that brings a touch of effortless charm to any garden. With an abundance of dainty, nodding purple flowers, this vigorous variety blooms from midsummer into autumn, ensuring months of colour and movement. Unlike some of its fussier relatives, Clematis viticella is wonderfully resilient, thriving in a range of conditions and requiring little more than a supportive structure to scramble over. Whether draped over a pergola, weaving through shrubs, or softening a fence, this elegant climber delivers a reliable and rewarding display.
One of the best things about Clematis viticella is its easy-going nature. It shrugs off common clematis ailments, making it a robust and dependable choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. Pruning is a simple affair—just cut it back to near ground level in late winter to encourage a fresh flush of growth. Pair it with pale or silver-foliaged plants for a striking contrast, or let it mingle with other climbers for a more relaxed, naturalistic effect. However you choose to grow it, Clematis viticella is a true classic that proves time and again why it remains a favourite in gardens far and wide.
Clematis viticella is supplied as a pip with a well-developed root system, ready to thrive in your garden. You can see an example of a pip in the last image.
Key features
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Climbing habit
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Comes back every year
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Loved by pollinators
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Thrives well in full sun
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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RHS Award (AGM)
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Fully hardy
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Clematis viticella
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Flower colour
Purple, lavender, violet
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Plant size
1
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Established height
1-3m
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Established spread
50-70cm
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Plant spacing
3 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Green
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Habit
Climbing
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Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
2-3 years
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Sunlight
Full sun
Dappled shade
Partial shade -
Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Large containers
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Damp
Free draining -
Soil type
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
Yes
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Mouse resistant
No
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak your Clematis viticella roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting.
Plant your "Italian leather flower" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors.
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed.
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed before 1 March 2025
You can expect your order in Feb/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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