Italian clematis Clematis viticella
Italian clematis (Clematis viticella) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Southern Europe to western Asia. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Italian clematis in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Italian clematis at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Europe to western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Italian clematis toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts
Protoanemonin: irritant and emetic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Italian clematis
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Italian clematis
- How far apart should I plant Italian clematis?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Italian clematis need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Italian clematis need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Italian clematis?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Italian clematis flower?
- From about June for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Italian clematis poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Protoanemonin: irritant and emetic.
- What grows well with Italian clematis?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Italian clematis. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- Nodding purple to wine flowers all summer; immune to clematis wilt. Cut hard back in late winter (pruning group 3). Lovely through roses.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Hellebore (Lenten rose) Helleborus x hybridus
- Delphinium Delphinium elatum hybrids
- Common columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
- Japanese anemone Anemone hupehensis
- Larkspur Consolida ajacis
- Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena
- Globeflower Trollius europaeus
- Christmas rose Helleborus niger