Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Bourbon is another beautiful clematis for patio containers from the famous British breeder Raymond Evison. Bourbon climbs 3 to 4 feet tall and sports 6-inch wide red flowers with a faint flush of purple on the petals. Allow Bourbon to climb a short trellis, obelisk or bamboo stakes. Bourbon blooms in spring and then in mid- to late summer. Once the flowers fade, fuzzy seed heads form for winter interest.
Bourbon also can be grown in the ground and allowed to through a shrub for a summer show. Snip a flower or two from this woody, perennial vine for indoor enjoyment. Hummers, butterflies and bees visit clematis. It is resistant to deer and rabbit.
Bourbon Clematis Care
When planting, the hole should be deep enough so that the top of the root ball is slightly below the soil surface. Clematis does best in full or part sun. For best results, water clematis, especially during hot dry spells. Many gardeners shade the roots of clematis plants with other plants or mulch.
The leaf stems, called petioles, are how clematis climbs. The petioles are only able to wrap around a trellis, obelisk or other structure that is no larger than ¾-inch. If you want the clematis to climb something larger, such as a 4x4 inch mailbox post, you’ll have to help it. Add hardware cloth, chicken wire, bamboo stakes or heavy twine for the clematis to climb.
Bourbon clematis is in pruning group 2, which means it blooms on new wood and old wood. Pruning is usually not required, except for light shaping. Prune about 12 inches from each shoot by snipping above the first pair of swollen leaf buds in early spring. Pruning at the wrong time can remove this season’s flower.
Bourbon Clematis Spacing
In a container, Bourbon serves as a thriller. Place bamboo stakes or a short trellis in the center of the pot for the clematis to climb. Plant summer annuals with it, if desired. In the landscape, plant Bourbon so it can climb a trellis or other structure.
Bourbon 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
- 4-6 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Climbing
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Red
- Flower Description
- Red
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring and Late Summer
- Blooms On
-
Both New and Old Wood
?
"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
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Bourbon Clematis
- Botanical Name
- Clematis 'Evipo 018'
- 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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