Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This exceptional award-winner delightfully illustrates why clematis is often called the queen of the flowering vines. Its unique, dahlia-like blossoms measure 5-6 inches. The sepals of these large, double flowers are colored pale blue to blue/violet. An early bloomer, from May to June, it may rebloom in late summer. It climbs 5-6 feet and spreads 3-6 feet, providing vertical interest in your garden. It is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Blue Light® Clematis has a compact and climbing habit. It has no serious insect pests, and it resists deer and rabbits. Grow it up a trellis placed in a border or on a wall. It is the perfect companion plant for trees and shrubs; it is stunning when intertwined with roses. You may grow this vine in a container with an obelisk or trellis for support. Blue Light® makes a pretty cut flower.
Blue Light® Clematis Care
Backfill a generous sized planting hole with a soil and compost mix. Plant the crown 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Water well and mulch with 2-3 inches of organic material such as shredded bark. Clematis prefer their roots to be moist and cool at all times – it is why we say clematis like shady feet. You may plant low-growing perennials around the base for shade.
After planting, trim the plant to 12 inches or a pair of new buds to encourage branching. You may need to help your young clematis begin to vine as they don’t have tendrils – simply twist their leaf stalks around the supports. Fertilize at planting time and then each spring with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Your Blue Light® will thrive with six hours of sunlight. It prefers soil with slightly acidic-to-neutral pH.
Blue Light Clematis is in pruning group 2 and considered a rebloomer. It blooms on old and new wood. Flowers appear on old wood in May and June and on new wood in late summer. Little pruning is needed. In early spring, prune out the dead wood. Mulch in winter to protect the crown. You may need to insulate containers or move them to a sheltered spot at the beginning of winter.
Blue Light® Clematis Spacing
You can grow your clematis climbing up a trellis or obelisk, or up a tree or shrub. When planting near a non-living support, such as a trellis, allow at least 1 foot between the support and the plant. When using a living support, such as a tree, locate the vine at least two feet away. If you are using a container, select one that is as large as possible for your plant.
Images courtesy of NGA goldfinch4, public domain.
Blue Light® Clematis Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (4+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Climbing
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Blue
- Flower Description
- Blue
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring and Late Summer
- Blooms On
-
Both New and Old Wood
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"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Lightly, right after the first flush of flowers
- Foliage Color
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Fall Flowering, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Blue Light® Clematis
- Botanical Name
- Clematis 'Vanso'
- Plant Type
- Vine
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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