Clematis Vines for Full Sun

Old Wood Blooms

• Clematis vines that bloom on last season's growth require careful overwintering so they are not damaged by frost. They will blossom between April and June and only when they are finished blossoming is it safe to prune them back to live wood. Iowa State Extension lists Clematis alpine and Clematis macropetala as examples of early blooming clematis. Check the supports for the plant at the beginning of the season. A strong wind can damage the vines, so secure trellises. Tighten ties to pergolas or arbors. Adjust the plant each year so it continues to grow in full sun, not in the shade of a structure.

Mixed Growth

• You get two blooming periods with the mixed bloomers like Henryi, Ramona and The President. Flowers will appear from May to July on the old growth and more flowers will bloom in late summer on new growth. Prune dead wood in late winter. If you have protected the plant from freezing, you'll get the early blooms as well as the late blooms. Hybrid clematis vines grow 6 to 12 feet and produce large flowers, ranging in color from purple, pink, white and blue to bright yellows and reds.

New Growth Blooms

• Flowers that appear on the new growth of the plant bloom from late May to September. Ernest Markham and Hagley Hybrid are two new growth clematis with oversize blooms. Trim these plants in late winter or early spring to within 6 to 12 inches from the ground. The new shoots will grow quickly, once the sun brightens the garden, and produce showy flowers that can be as wide as 8 inches across.

Late Autumn Bloomer

• Sweet autumn clematis (Clematis paniculata) provides fragrant small, honeysuckle-shaped white and colored flowers in August and September to close the season. It grows quickly and can reach 30 feet in length. The autumn clematis vine still needs full sunlight to produce its flowers, so consider the angle of the late summer sun on your property when deciding where to plant it.