Clematis alpina 'Ruby'

ALPINE CLEMATIS
Family: Ranunculaceae
Pronounced: KLEM-uh-tiss al-PEEN-uh

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Vines.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All (Western).
USDA zones: 4-9.
Heat zones: 9-6.
Mature size:
Height: 8 feet (2.5 m).
Flowering period:
Mid spring to late spring.
Flowering attributes:
Single, bell-shaped, with 4 tepals of bright pink with off-white staminodes.
Leaf attributes:
Nine leaflets that are midgreen. Each leaf has serrated margins.
Light:
Full sun.
Soil:
Fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
Mulch well with composted manure or compost. Fertilize once a month with a complete organic fertilizer during the growing season.
Propagation Methods:
Layer branches in late winter.
Basal and softwood cuttings in spring.
Division in spring.
Semi-ripe cuttings in early summer.
Pruning Methods:
Pruning group 1 or A.

 

Rainy Side Notes

I planted two vines — one that scrambles over a camellia, the other climbs an arbor that supports mailboxes nearby. Clematis 'Ruby' is vigorous enough to hold its own with a rambunctious honeysuckle — Lonicera 'Henryi'. Planted four feet apart, both vines share the climbing space. They are planted about four feet apart from each other, yet both vines climb the arbor.

Even though I was disappointed in its nondescript flowers, the honeysuckle adds evergreen foliage. What saved it was the flowers' remarkable scent adored by pollinators, followed by blue berries. However, Clematis 'Ruby' adds a beautiful spring bloom to the space. In April, the vine covers itself in nodding pinkish-red flowers with four, one-inch long tepals. I decided to keep the couple growing on the arbor.

This clematis grows best in full sun and is right at home in a container. Give it something to climb and minimal pruning, and it will reward you with spring blooms and sometimes a sprinkling of flowers in fall. Having said that, I haven't seen my two vines rebloom. Are they holding out on me?

More Clematis.

Planting and Care of Clematis.

Photographed in author's garden.