Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This beauty makes a statement from across the garden! Kilian Donahue’s large 5-inch flowers change over time, stunning in both aspects. The flowers emerge orchid pink with a raspberry flare, and then fade to lavender and pink, creating a wonderfully layered effect as if you had two vines in one! Kilian is an excellent rebloomer, offering multiple summer shows to you and your visiting pollinators, from butterflies and bees to hummingbirds.
Kilian only grows to about 10 feet tall and 2 feet wide, making it very easy to fit in this stunning vine in any full-sun location needing some vertical embellishment, whether in a container or the landscape. Clematis lightly twine, so it will appreciate a guide in the form of a stake, twine, or wire to grow up if you are training it on a wide structure like a porch rail or an arbor. The bonus of this habit is that they can also be grown into shrubs who bloom at other times of year to bring some extra bloom to that spot. Like other clematis, deer and rabbit keep it off their menu. You can bring the flowers inside to enjoy, since they make good cut flowers as well.
Kilian Donahue Clematis Care
For optimal performance, choose a full sun location as you’ll probably see reduced growth in even partial shade, though Kilian Donahue will tolerate that. Bury the plant 2 inches lower than it was growing to ward off clematis wilt and heaves from frost-thaw cycles, and then mulch the plant to keep its roots nice and cool. Clematis love even moisture, water well the first few growing seasons during hot or dry spells.
Pruning for “group 2” clematis like Kilian Donahue is a matter of a minimal snip in early spring. Just clip about one foot all around and take out any dead or broken branches.
Some compost or aged cow manure should be all the fertilizer Kilian Donahue needs, but if desired, limit the fertilizer to a one-time application in spring of a controlled (slow)- release type, or if using liquid, apply monthly from April until July.
Kilian Donahue Clematis Spacing
Allow approximately two feet between plants from Kilian Donahue clematis for ideal air circulation.
Kilian Donahue 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
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Climbing
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple, Pink
- Flower Description
- Purple, Pink
- 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
- Kilian Donahue Clematis
- Botanical Name
- Clematis 'Kilian Donahue'
- 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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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!