Clematis viticella ‘Polish Spirit’
(KLEM-uh-tis  vih-tih-CHELL-ah)

Family: Ranunculaceae

Common name: Clematis ‘Polish Spirit’
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 15 – 20 ft (4.5 – 6 m)
Spread: 3 – 5 ft (0.9 – 1.5 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: humus-rich; well-draining
Water: regular

Description: A vigorous growing, deciduous vine. Masses of 3 – 4 inch (7.5 – 10 cm) velvety, violet-blue flowers are set off by rich, dark green leaves appear in mid- to late-June straight through until a killing frost.

Special Notes: This cultivar of clematis was discovered in the monastery garden in Warsaw, Poland of the well-known clematis breeder, Brother Stefan Franczak, in 1984. Plant 2 year old seedlings 12 – 18 inches (30 – 45 cm) deep in a well-prepared hole amended with compost or well-aged manure and a complete fertilizer. Pruning Group C (or Group 3); flowers on new wood. Cut vine back to 12 inches (30 cm) in late winter or early spring. Best to strap vine if grown on a trellis and exposed to high winds. Very easy care; relatively pest and disease free, including clematis wilt. Propagation by internodal cuttings in spring.

In our Zone 7a garden: This is one of our favourite clematis. Not only is it beautiful, but it is easy care and long blooming. The previous year’s spent growth on ‘Polish Spirit’ is cut back to a height of 8 – 10 inches (20 – 25 cm) in late winter. And that’s it, pretty much. You might have to tuck the odd rogue branch back into its trellis and you do have to water the vine on a fairly regular basis.

But be prepared to wait until about mid-July before the violet-blue flowers fully burst open and start their summer show. And what a show it is! The vine will be thickly covered in flowers straight through until the first frost which is typically sometime in October in our garden.

Adjusting the soil pH with ashes or a sprinkle of lime scratched in around the vine’s base and making sure it has regular water will ensure this clematis remains pest-free.

RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993; Great Plant Pick 2002

Posted on October 12, 2012; updated on January 29, 2025

Clematis recta ‘Purpurea’
(KLEM-uh-tis  RECK-tah)

Family: Ranunculaeae

Common name: purple ground clematis
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 3 – 5 ft (1 – 1.5 m)
Spread: 4 – 5 ft (1.2 – 1.5 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: humus-rich; moist; well-drained
Water: regular

Description: An herbaceous, clump-forming, non-climbing clematis with purple foliage on purple stems and panicles of small (¾-inch/1.9 cm), star-shaped, vanilla-scented white flowers from summer to fall, followed by attractive silvery seedheads.

Special Notes: Native to central and southern Europe, this unique ground-sprawling clematis can be trained to climb or left to crawl along the ground. Grow in a sunny or part sun location in fertile, alkaline, well-drained soil and water regularly. Be sure to keep roots shaded and cool, as you should with all clematis.

Treat this clematis as a Group C or 3; cut back old growth to 6 – 8 inches (15 – 20 cm) in late winter, preferably to a pair of strong buds. Young foliage is coppery purple, turning to purple with tinges of green as the season progresses. Flowers appear in early summer.

No serious insect or disease problems. Propagation by division. Can be grown from ripe seed that has had a period of vernalization.

In our Zone 7a garden: We have this plant in John’s back garden. It is mostly in shade from a large Magnolia shrub which provides some relief from the hottest of the summer days. Employing several wrought iron peony rings holds the mass of stems upright to display the ground-cover plants growing at their feet…keeping the clematis roots cool.

It garners much admiration from our garden visitors, especially when it is in full bloom.

Posted on February 28, 2024; updated on January 22, 2025