Evergreen Clematis: How to Choose, Plant and Grow Them

Which evergreen clematis variety should you choose?

The Clematis armandii offer a lovely white or pinkish bloom in late winter, which stands out against their dark green, glossy foliage. They thrive against a south-facing wall and cannot tolerate cold, windy conditions. For a slightly more colourful bloom, opt for the Clematis cirrhosa, particularly the varieties ‘Advent Bells’ or ‘Freckles’, which flower in mid-winter, sometimes as early as December. They are not very hardy and will need to be planted in pots and brought indoors for winter if you live in northern France. Also discover the Clematis ‘Winter Beauty’, which will charm you with its pretty white bell-shaped flowers. However, it is quite delicate to grow!

Clematis armandii - Evergreen Clematis

This is the most common species among evergreen clematis. It produces an abundance of fragrant white flowers in March and boasts beautiful, glossy dark green leaves. Plant it in a sheltered spot away from cold winds, preferably against a south-facing wall. It can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C and also adapts well to woodland planting.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 4 m

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Clematis armandii Apple Blossom

This is a spectacular clematis that bears beautiful, slightly pinkish-white flowers from late winter, blooming from pink flower buds. It is prized for the delicate hue of its flowers and their pleasant vanilla fragrance! It has stunning dark green foliage with bronze tones when young. It grows quite quickly and thrives in sunny, well-drained soil. It is hardier than the typical species and does not require pruning.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 4 m

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Clematis x cartmanii Early Sensation

This variety is covered in late winter with an abundance of white flowers, contrasted by a green-yellow centre. The flowers are single, measuring 8 cm in diameter. It has fine, deeply cut, glossy foliage. Feel free to plant it in a container on a terrace or balcony, where the stems will cascade beautifully. It can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C and can grow in northern France, unlike the Clematis cirrhosa. Plant it in full sun, sheltered from the wind.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 3 m

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Clematis urophylla Winter Beauty

The Clematis ‘Winter Beauty’ is admired for its elegant bell-shaped white flowers. It blooms a little earlier than other varieties, starting in December or January. It is a remarkable variety but unfortunately quite delicate to grow and not hardy. It cannot tolerate temperatures below -3°C or waterlogged soil in winter. If you live in northern France, you will need to plant it in a pot and bring it under cover for winter.

• Height at maturity 3 m

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The Clematis cirrhosa

The Clematis cirrhosa originate from the Mediterranean region and are not very hardy. They can reach up to three metres in height and adapt well to container growing, making it easy to bring them indoors for winter.

Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica

It flowers from December or January, producing small pale yellow flowers with light purplish-red speckles and stunning dark green, finely divided foliage that turns bronze in winter. It is vigorous but dislikes wet winters. It is native to the Balearic Islands but can also be found in Sardinia and Corsica.

• Height at maturity 3 m

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Clematis x cirrhosa Advent Bells

It bears creamy-white flowers dotted with numerous purplish-red spots, adding colour in winter! It has dark green, glossy foliage.

• Height at maturity 4 m

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Clematis cirrhosa Winter Parasol

This variety offers a creamy-yellow bloom speckled with purplish spots. It flowers very early, sometimes as soon as November! It has beautiful, finely cut and glossy leaves.

• Height at maturity 2,50 m

See the product sheet

When to plant them?

Plant your clematis in spring, around May, after the last frosts. It’s important for the plant to establish itself as quickly as possible, to help it better withstand winter temperatures.

Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’

Where to plant evergreen clematis?

Plant your clematis preferably in full sun, but with the base in shade.

Evergreen clematis need a sheltered spot protected from wind to thrive. Avoid planting them in areas exposed to winter winds. North of the Loire, a well-protected location is almost essential to help them withstand severe cold. Plant them against a trellis at the foot of a south or south-west facing wall. Clematis armandii can tolerate being planted directly in the ground in northern France, unlike clematis cirrhosa.

We advise against planting them in mountainous or continental climate regions, as they will struggle to survive winter, even with protection… Unless, of course, you grow them in pots and bring them indoors for winter.

Clematis are delicate and demanding plants. They appreciate deep, rich, humus-rich soils. If your soil is poor, you’ll need to add compost to enrich it. The soil should also remain cool but sufficiently well-drained. They dislike excessive winter moisture. To improve water drainage, you can add gravel, horticultural sand or pumice to your soil.

Plant clematis cirrhosa in full sun and well-drained soil, as they cannot tolerate wet conditions in winter. They will thrive against a south-facing wall. Less hardy than other varieties, they will need protection – either by growing them in pots and bringing them under cover for winter, or by planting them against a south-facing wall with a thick mulch at the base… Unless you live in the Mediterranean region!

How to plant them properly?

• Soak the root ball in a basin of water to rehydrate it.
• Using a spade or shovel, dig a planting hole two to three times the size of the root ball. You can add a layer of gravel, horticultural sand or pumice to ensure good drainage. Then add compost mixed with some manure compost to the planting hole.
• Without disturbing the roots, lay the root ball in the hole, which encourages the development of latent buds.
• Fill in around the plant with compost and gently firm down, then water.
• We recommend applying a mulch around the base of the clematis to keep the soil cool.
• Continue to water regularly during the first year after planting.
• You can also plant your clematis in a pot. In this case, it will require more frequent watering and regular repotting.

How to care for them?

• Water during prolonged dry spells, especially in the first few years.
• In spring and autumn, add organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure.
• You can lightly prune your clematis in spring, once flowering has finished, using a clean secateurs. Remove damaged or poorly positioned branches and shorten the longest stems. These evergreen varieties can also do without pruning.
• Evergreen clematis are not very hardy. Below -5°C, protect the plant with a winter fleece, especially in the first few years. After three years, it will be strong enough to do without protection. If planted in a pot, you can bring it indoors to a conservatory for winter.