Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' (LL)
ABOUT
'Vivienne Lawson' is a deciduous climber, up to 3m high, with green leaves and large flowers, up to 16cm across, of six violet-purple sepals with pinker midstripes and yellow stamens in late summer and early autumn on the current year's growth
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Vivienne Lawson Clematis, Leatherleaf Clematis.
Common names
Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' (LL)
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
Spread
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Clematis 'Vivienne Bethell' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Garden Aesthetics: With its eye-catching blooms, this Clematis adds a splash of color and enhances the visual appeal of garden spaces.
- Vertical Interest: This climbing plant is ideal for adding height and structure to gardens, covering walls, pergolas, and trellises.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides seasonal interest with its flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer.
- Easy to Grow: Clematis 'Vivienne Bethell' is generally easy to care for and can be grown by gardeners of all skill levels.
- Privacy Screen: When grown on fences or trellises, it can provide a natural privacy screen for outdoor spaces.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can be relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering.
- Pruning Flexibility: Can be pruned according to desired shape and size, making it suitable for various garden designs.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Clematis can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, offering subtle shades of green or yellow depending on the mordant used.
- The plant's flexible stems can be woven into small decorative items like wreaths or baskets.
- Dried Clematis flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a soft, delicate fragrance.
- Pressed Clematis flowers can be used in botanical art, such as creating bookmarks or decorating handmade paper.
- Clematis vines can be trained to grow on trellises or pergolas to create natural, living privacy screens in gardens.
- Photographers and filmmakers might use Clematis in full bloom as a backdrop for romantic or nature-themed photo shoots and scenes.
- Used in landscape design, Clematis can cover unsightly areas like fences or old buildings, softening the landscape aesthetics.
- The dried seed heads of Clematis can add texture and interest to floral arrangements or crafts.
- When carefully managed, Clematis vines can be used in topiary art to add height and complexity to garden designs.
- Clematis plants can provide a natural habitat and climbing support for beneficial garden insects and small birds.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Clematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Clematis is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Mental Agility: Clematis plants are often associated with cleverness and the agility of the mind due to their intricate vines and ability to climb and adapt to their surroundings.
- Ingeniousness: With its complex flowering structures, the clematis symbolizes the trait of inventive or creative thinking.
- Beauty in All Aspects: The 'Vivienne Lawson' variety, with its lovely blooms, is often a symbol of physical and spiritual beauty.
- Artistic Inspiration: The uniquely attractive flowers of clematis can signify inspiration, particularly in artistic endeavors.
- Aspiration and Determination: As a climbing plant that reaches upwards, clematis can represent striving for higher things and a strong will to succeed.
- Water
Clematis, commonly known as Queen of the Vines, should be watered deeply and thoroughly to ensure the root system is adequately moistened. Watering should be done weekly, providing about 1 gallon of water per plant, especially during the growing season and the plant's first year to help establish a robust root system. During hot and dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to minimize the risk of fungal diseases. In the winter, reduce watering to prevent waterlogging as the plant requires less moisture during dormancy.
- Light
Queen of the Vines thrives in a spot where it can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, although it can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in the afternoon. The ideal location is one where the roots are shaded or mulched, and the foliage is in the sun. Make sure the plant has some protection from the most intense, midday sun to prevent scorching of the leaves.
- Temperature
Clematis prefers a temperate climate with ideal temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring they have good root protection, and can tolerate summer heats up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pruning
Prune Queen of the Vines to encourage strong growth and flowering. This clematis group blooms on the previous year's growth, so prune lightly in early spring, removing dead or weak stems, and shaping the plant. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring, just as the buds begin to swell but before active growth starts.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The best soil mix for Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' is one that is well-draining and rich in organic matter, such as a combination of loam, compost, and perlite or vermiculite. A slightly alkaline to neutral pH, ranging from 6.5 to 7.5, is ideal for this clematis.
- Repotting
Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' generally requires repotting every 2 to 3 years, or when the plant becomes root bound and the growth seems to have slowed down. Early spring is the best time to repot this clematis.
- Humidity & Misting
Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' thrives best in areas with moderate humidity. They do not have specific humidity requirements, but avoiding extremely dry air is beneficial for the plant's health.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Grow Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' in bright, indirect light with support for climbing.
Outdoor
Plant Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' in sun to partial shade with climbing support.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson', commonly known as Clematis, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in the soil under favorable conditions of moisture and temperature. Once sprouted, the seedlings develop into juvenile plants with a network of roots and several leaves, entering a vegetative growth stage. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, which is marked by the development of large, often showy flowers that attract pollinators, a key phase for the plant's reproduction. After pollination, the flowers develop into fruits containing seeds, which when mature, are dispersed by various means such as wind or animals. The plant undergoes a period of dormancy during colder months, with some species dying back to the ground and regrowth occurring from the root system in spring. Throughout its life cycle, the Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson' will continue to grow and produce flowers annually, undergoing pruning and maintenance to enhance its longevity and vigor.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Clematis 'Vivienne Lawson', commonly known as Vivienne Lawson Clematis, can be propagated most popularly through stem cuttings, typically done in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy stem about 4 to 6 inches long (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) with at least two sets of leaves. Cut just below a leaf node, where the concentration of hormones is higher, which will encourage rooting. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to speed up the process. The cutting should then be planted in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, covering the node where the leaves were removed. The pot should be kept in a warm, indirect light area and maintained at a consistent moisture level to support root growth. Covering the pot with a plastic bag can create a greenhouse effect, ensuring high humidity, which is beneficial for root development.