Bourbon Clematis

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4-6 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

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.