Abilene Clematis

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4-5 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Clematis are the queen of climbers in perennial gardens, aced only by some rose varieties for their vigor and showy bright flowers. Abilene is going to put on a show for you with large bright pink slightly ruffled flowers with a bright yellow ring of anthers contrasted by apple green leaves. These are early blooming clematis that bloom first in about June on last year’s wood, then put on a flush of flowers on new growth in July and August. Its compact size, reaching only about 4 feet tall, will make it a perfect addition to your patio trellis garden, rock wall, or fence garden display. These plants must be supported by some structure as they will ever reach for the sun, twining around anything it can reach.

Clematis is native to China and was noted to be cultivated in Japan in the 17th century. Although tropical in appearance, they are not typically found in tropical areas, but are found in temperate zones in the Northern Hemisphere. Hardy in Zones 4-9, cultivated varieties of Clematis can be set out in the spring after the danger of the last frost has passed. It may take several years for this plant to gain enough bulk to not appear fragile, but it will return year after year when given what it needs to survive.

Abilene Clematis Care

Care of Clematis entails giving it the conditions it needs to thrive in. Well drained soil is a must, whether that is clay or sandy loam. It prefers a soil that is acidic to neutral, with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.6. When growing clematis of any variety remember one axiom: head hot and feet cold. Mulch or give clematis ground cover to protect its roots and keep it cool. Conversely it enjoys having its head in the sun. Fertilize clematis in spring once new growth has emerged with a high phosphorus low nitrogen fertilizer like a 10-30-20. This will give it the root nutrients it needs and coax it into bloom in late spring, early summer. Water regularly to maintain a consistent moisture, especially if planted in containers or if natural rainfall is seriously lacking. Mulch to help retain the moisture. In hot summer regions, choose a location with some afternoon shade to avoid burning the foliage.

Deadheading to encourage new blooms is done by way of pruning and is not necessary to get new blooms. This clematis in in pruning group 2. In fact, prune incorrectly and you will have trimmed off the potential for more blooms. Rule of thumb is this: prune in late winter, early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches, checking each branch and only pruning above the obvious new leaf buds; then, after the first flush of flowers, cut immediately above the next set of buds, which should be below the spent flower seed head. Avoid any drastic pruning unless your plant has aged badly and has gotten out of shape, realizing as you do so, you are foregoing any possibility of blooms that season.

Abilene Clematis Spacing

Space plants about 24 inches apart. Clematis are vertical opportunity growers and will twine around anything in their path. Giving them enough space in between plants will help to keep growth going in the direction you wish it to go. Reaching about 4 feet tall at maturity, clematis can spread out to 24 inches wide. Clematis grown in pots will need winter protection if they are going to make it until the next spring. Heel them into dirt to have a chance at another season of beauty. There are so many bright beautiful colors of clematis to choose from, but you are going to love the pink Abilene with its more compact growth in your garden this spring.