Diamond Ball Clematis Vine

Light Needs

Part Sun to Full Sun

(5+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Fast forward to the day when those golf ball sized buds burst open into icy blue fully double flowers about the size of a man’s hand and literally cover the bright green delicate looking leaves. The unusual blue blush on white petals will seem to glow in the sunlight. Sporting dozens of blooms from June until September, this long blooming clematis is sure to be a favorite in your early summer garden this year. One of the largest blooms for a clematis, it is on a compact, easy to handle vine. Few vines will be this prolific and produce this large of a flower!

Native to China, clematis has been cultivated for years, creating many forms and sizes. Used to scrambling up rocky slopes, clematis vines will climb upward, seeking the sun. This clematis is hardy in Zones 4 to 8, giving the majority of gardeners in the United States the pleasure of growing this easy to maintain flowering perennial vine. It can be planted in full sun or in partial shade. Its vigor and disease resistance make it a great choice for gardeners who may not have as much time as they would like to spend maintaining their perennial garden. Clematis make great arbor climbers, as well as ramblers along fence rows. Diamond Ball Clematis also trails nicely, giving you the unique opportunity to plant it where it will cascade over a rock wall, or tumble out of a hanging basket.

Diamond Ball Clematis Vine Care

Clematis love to have their heads in the sun and their feet in the shade, as the old adage goes. Provide support for your clematis so it can climb up and not become a tangled mess on the ground, and give it some root zone shade by using a good quality mulch, or simply planting a full sun ground cover perennial at its feet. They appreciate a well draining rich soil that is on the slightly acid to neutral side. Plant in full sun with some afternoon shade appreciated especially in the South regions. Test your soil acidity and aim for a range of 5.8 to 6.2. Amend an acid soil with some lime to sweeten it up. Fertilize with a low nitrogen granular fertilizer like a 5-10-10 when the plant starts to set buds, then follow up in 4 to 6 weeks with a general purpose balanced fertilizer like a 10-10-10, alternating throughout the growing season.

Deadheading may encourage some rebloom although this perennial vine is a long bloomer already. Remove spent flowers by clipping down to the first set of leaves. Diamond Ball blooms first on old wood from last season, then re-blooms on new growth. This clematis is in group 2, which means it blooms on old wood and new wood. So prune very little unless it's needed, because it will reduce the amount of flowers the plant produces. If you do prune, wait until the plant is done flowering.

Diamond Ball Clematis Vine Spacing

Spacing clematis is important as it is a climbing vine and will want to twine around whatever it comes in contact with. Allow 24 to 36 inches of space in between plants. This clematis will mature at about 72 inches tall, can trail down 72 inches, and spreads out about 36 inches. It is just the right size for small to medium gardens, and would look wonderful cascading down a rock wall, climbing along a wood picket fence, or scrambling up a trellis. They make wonderful container plants as well, just be sure to size your pot large enough to handle the top heavy load of foliage and flowers when fully mature.

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