Mayleen Clematis

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

25-35 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 9

For an unforgettable sweep of color on a large fence, pergola, or porch, look to Mayleen clematis. This strong-growing vine offers four weeks of spring bloom, complemented by bronze-tinted foliage through frost. The single pink flowers are small, but innumerable, and wrap passersby in a sweet vanilla fragrance while drawing pollinators like a magnet. Mayleen can reach up to 35 feet in an ideal sunny spot.

Mayleen comes from the Montana species of clematis, known for its beautiful fragrance and vigorous growth. Both the flowers and foliage do well in arrangements, so you can enjoy them no matter the weather. Another bonus? Deer and rabbits are less interested in clematis. Clematis can happily romp through shrubs and small trees without damaging them, so consider planting at the foot of a lilac, or rhododendron to give that shrub an extra season of interest. If you are planting near a wider structure, like a column or fence pole, your clematis may need some assistance twining to grow up the first couple of years, with stakes, twine, wire, or fishing line.

Mayleen Clematis Care

Deciduous Mayleen is not quite as cold-hardy as the shorter-growing, large-flowered clematis hybrids, being hardy from zones 6-9. If your region is close to zone 6, Garden Crossings recommends planting about two inches deeper than its original planting and keeping your mulch on through winter. This will protect from frost heaves and clematis wilt.

Mayleen will tolerate light shade, but you’ll see the most exuberant growth and flowering in full sun. One caveat is that they require cool roots, with even moisture, so again, mulch is a must. Clematis don’t need much fertilizer, though they will appreciate a couple of handfuls of compost or aged cow manure in early spring. If you must use fertilizer, we recommend slow-release fertilizer once in spring, or liquid solutions monthly from April through July only. Mayleen pruning is the easiest of all clematis types – group 1 - which means pruning is only needed to remove any weak or dead stems. The best time to do this is right after flowering.

Mayleen Clematis Spacing

With clematis, air circulation is important, so a minimum of two feet of elbow room is recommended at the crown.