Italian Clematis Clematis viticella 'Flore Pleno' (Vt/d)

Water

The Italian Clematis should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per session during the growing season. Increase the frequency to twice a week during particularly hot or dry periods. Make sure the soil is well-drained and the water reaches deeply into the roots. Reduce watering in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant, adhering to a minimal watering schedule just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.

Light

Italian Clematis thrives in a location with full sun to partial shade. Ideally, place it where the flowering parts get at least 6 hours of sunlight but the roots are shaded, which could be achieved with low plantings or a mulch around the base. This vine prefers a spot where it can climb, such as on a trellis, fence, or pergola, as long as it meets its sun exposure requirements.

Temperature

Italian Clematis does well in a temperature range between 50°F and 85°F. It can survive winter temperatures as low as 20°F, but the plant should be protected from harsh conditions. The optimal growing condition is a consistent temperature without extreme fluctuations during the active growing season.

Pruning

Italian Clematis should be pruned to promote healthy growth, maintain its shape, and enhance flowering. Prune lightly in the late winter or early spring to remove any dead or weak stems. After the first bloom, pruning can encourage a second flush of flowers. This variety, being in pruning group 3, benefits from being cut back hard to about a foot from the ground every year.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Italian Clematis requires a well-draining soil mix with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix containing loamy garden soil, compost, and a component like perlite or coarse sand is ideal to ensure proper drainage and aeration.

Repotting

Italian Clematis does not require frequent repotting and can often be done every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container.

Humidity & Misting

Italian Clematis prefers a moderate level of humidity but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity levels typically found outdoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright indirect light and cool temperatures for Italian Clematis.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, provide support, and mulch to keep roots cool for Italian Clematis.

• Hardiness zone

  4-9 USDA

Life cycle

Clematis viticella 'Flore Pleno', commonly known as Italian Clematis, starts its life as a dormant bare-root plant or from a seed. Upon planting, it enters a germination stage, where roots establish and shoots emerge, usually in early spring. It transitions into a vegetative growth phase, developing a robust vine with distinct, compound leaves through the late spring and summer. Throughout the summer months, the plant blossoms and produces ornate, double flowers that do not bear seeds due to their double-flower nature. After the flowering period, it enters senescence in autumn where above-ground growth dies back, while the root system remains alive over winter. Each subsequent spring, the plant regrows from the established root system, repeating its lifecycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for Clematis viticella 'Flore Pleno', also known as Italian Clematis, is by softwood cuttings. This is typically done in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is semi-ripe and flexible. Cut a section of stem about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long, just below a node, from a healthy plant. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant it in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or a similar rooting medium. The pot should then be placed in a warm, humid environment, but not in direct sunlight, until roots have developed, after which it can be potted in regular soil.