What is an Evergreen Clematis?

Evergreen clematis is a type of clematis that blooms during a few months of the year and stays green the remainder of the year. As with other clematis vines, it can grow to be approximately 30 feet (9.14 m) tall. It is also known as clematis armandii or Armand’s clematis. Depending on the variety, its blooms vary from white to pink to deep red, sometimes accented by a stripe of contrasting color. Their slight fragrance attracts bees, birds and butterflies.

For best growth and survival, evergreen clematis should be planted to receive full sun or partial shade, though the roots should be in the shade or covered with mulch to keep them cool in very hot climates. It will not thrive in areas that receive frequent freezes; in fact, even one slight freeze can kill it. The evergreen clematis requires an average amount of water, and care should be taken not to overwater so the roots do not become soggy.

Other than watering, particularly during drought conditions, the plant does not require much care. It does not necessarily need pruning, because new growth is produced on top of old growth without pruning. If a gardener prefers to prune the plant, this should be done immediately after the spring bloom, giving the plant time to reestablish itself during the summer and be ready to bloom again the following spring. If the evergreen clematis is pruned too late in the summer, it may not bloom at all the following year.

The evergreen clematis is easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Care should be taken, however, to snip only the stem and avoid cutting into the new-growth vine. It can also be grown from seed if the pods are allowed to dry out and the seeds are then collected. Cleanup around the plant is minimal, because it does not shed its leaves. The evergreen clematis makes a good privacy curtain because of its lush growth and height, and it can be trained to grow on a trellis of any size.

If several varieties of evergreen clematis are planted in a garden so that each blooms in a different month, the garden can have flowers and color for most of the year. When it's done blooming, a plant will spend the rest of the year displaying hardy green leaves. Its ease of care and relative hardiness make evergreen clematis a reliable choice for growing in most moderate climates.