Bijou Clematis

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1-2 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

An amazing variety of clematis with large, star-shaped flowers in jewel tones, this compact beauty is perfect for containers. The violet/mauve blooms, with white eyes, are long lasting. They cover a mat of green foliage from June to early August. Bijou™ Clematis is a non-climber that grows from 12-24 inches high. Enjoy the butterflies and other pollinators that the lovely flowers, with their pointed petals, will attract to your garden.

Bijou™ was hybridized and developed for growth in containers without a support structure. The plant was introduced in Britain in 2005 by Raymond Evison. It has a manageable size, a mounding habit, large blooms, and a medium growth rate. This plant has superior disease resistance, as well as being resistant to deer and rabbits. It tolerates the heat of summer. Plant it as a ‘spiller’ in mixed container plantings or trailing in a hanging basket. Use it as a mounding groundcover in the landscape – it adds interest to beds when placed between larger perennials or allowed to grow through shrubs. Let it trail off a retaining wall or slope.

Bijou Clematis Care

When planting your clematis in the landscape, prepare a 20-inches-deep planting hole that is 18-24 inches wide. Loosen the sides and bottom of the hole so that the roots can penetrate. You may plant it 2 inches deeper than in the pot, with the roots, crown, and some of the stems underground, to give it protection. Firmly press the soil, leaving it slightly mounded to allow for sinking. Water well, then keep the soil moist, not wet as it will not tolerate standing water. Hydrate containers more often. In the spring, give the plant some aged cow manure or compost, or use a slow-release fertilizer. Bijou™ is not particular about the soil type or pH. It prefers full sun or part shade. It likes its roots to be shaded so add some mulch such as pine bark. Keep the mulch 1inch away from the plant.

This clematis blooms primarily on new growth (new wood), which means its part of pruning group 3. Prune it lightly in early spring just above the lowest node showing growth. Remove any weak or dead stems. Mulch well to overwinter. You may want to surround pots with straw to insulate them or move them to a sheltered spot such as an unheated garage. When caring for containers, good drainage is key.

Bijou Clematis Spacing

Plant one in a container that is at least 15 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Try planting three varieties of clematis together in the landscape for a stunning display. Space them 24 inches apart.