Picardy Clematis

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4-5 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Some clematis bloom only once, or even twice, each summer, but Picardy Clematis is a free-flowering clematis hybrid. That means its rich red-violet blooms appear throughout the summer. At a smaller size, about 4 to 5 feet long and 2 feet around, it’s a great choice for containers. Just add a small obelisk or trellis and watch it climb and wind. Or place the container next to a post, trellis, fence, or other structure to support and display the lush green foliage and 4-inch flowers.

Picardy Clematis can attract hummingbirds to its big blooms all year, so place one on a patio or where seen from a kitchen window to enjoy nature. Double its duty by using it as a screen for a small unsightly structure. Deer and rabbit typically ignore clematis, so it is safe in areas they visit. In addition to this plant’s value as a stunning container or landscape thriller, it provides pretty cut flowers and foliage for indoor enjoyment. This clematis is hardy in zones 4 through 9.

Picardy Clematis Care

This clematis is a versatile vining plant because of its sun exposure, too. The plant does best when the stems receive at least 4 hours of sun a day, though it can take more in most of its growing zones. The base of the plant prefers a little shade, but if you can’t place it where the shade occurs naturally on the ground or container in summer, add some light rocks or pretty flowering annuals around the base of the plant to shade the roots below.

Water Picardy Clematis consistently with a moderate amount of water. The plant does best if soil stays moist most of the time. Still, choose a soil that drains well and water slowly if possible, such as with drip irrigation. Containers dry out more quickly and might need more irrigation. Fertilize the plant in spring and every 4 to 6 weeks while flowering. Picardy Clematis is in pruning group 2, which means it blooms appear on old growth and new growth. So prune the plant lightly in spring to shape it if necessary and remove weak stems. Removing faded flowers when possible helps the plant continue to bloom all summer.

Picardy Clematis Spacing

Although this is a compact clematis, it can grow to 4 or 5 feet high, so be sure there is a place for the long stems to grow upward. Space plants in a group about 2 feet apart to give them room to grow outward.