Clematis vitacella 'Royal velours'

Raised by Francisque Morel of Lyon, France.  Flowers are 2.5-3.5", deep velvety reddish purple with dark red anthers.  Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. 

Flowering period: Mid summer to early fall.

Habit: Moderately fast growing deciduous climbing vine.

Height: 8-10'

Exposure:  Full sun to part shade.

Site: Tolerates most garden soils. 

Recommended use:  Grow on a trellis, arbor, obelisk, wall or fence,  separately or in combination with other plants.  Makes a good companion plant for roses.  Can be grown through small trees and shrubs.  Use with a light colored background to get the greatest contrast.    

Pruning:  (Group 3) This is perhaps the easiest group to prune.  It will bloom on the current season's growth every year.  Pruning is quite simple, cut every winter down to 12-18 inches above the soil. 

Watering:  Likes regular water. Soil should be moist but not wet.  Water deeply and then allow to dry some to encourage deep rooting.

Zones: 3-9.

Flowering period:

Habit:

Height:

Exposure: 

Site:

Recommended use: 

Pruning: (Group 1)   When starting with a new plant prune as follows: during the winters of year 1 and 2 cut each stem ½ -1" above the lowest pair of active buds.  This will encourage low branching, giving you a fuller looking plant in later years.  Winter pruning after year 2 would be to cut each stem back to a strong pair of buds.  Remove dead or weak branches.  Hard pruning in winter will be at the expense of some spring flowers as they form on growth from the previous season.  You can prune this clematis to shape the plant in late spring after its main flowering period, with out the worry of cutting off potential flowers.  

 Pruning: (Group 2)   When starting with a new plant prune as follows: during the winters of year 1 and 2 cut each stem ½ -1" above the lowest pair of active buds.  This will encourage low branching, giving you a fuller looking plant in later years.  Winter pruning after year 2 would be to cut each stem back to a strong pair of buds.  Remove dead or weak branches.  Hard pruning in winter will be at the expense of some spring flowers as they form on growth from the previous season.  You can prune this clematis to shape the plant in late spring after its main flowering period, with out the worry of cutting off potential flowers.      

Pruning:  (Group 3) This is perhaps the easiest group to prune.  It will bloom on the current season's growth every year.  Pruning is quite simple, cut every winter down to 12-18 inches above the soil. 

Watering:  Likes regular water. Soil should be moist but not wet.  Water deeply and then allow to dry some to encourage deep rooting.

Zones: 3-9.