11 Spring Blooming Evergreen Clematis Varieties For Your Garden
Are you looking for some spring-blooming clematis varieties to add to your garden? There are many different types of evergreen clematis that will fit this criterion. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen examines her favorite evergreen clematis varieties that will bloom in the spring.
With over 250 species of Clematis, there are many different types of Clematis for the gardener to choose from. These stunning vines are well-known for their ability to climb a trellis and cover it with an abundance of colorful flowers. Plants are hardy and relatively easy to care for and there are varieties that are well adapted to almost any climate zone.
Flowers typically appear in the spring and summer months, but some varieties begin blooming in the late winter or early spring months, while others may be found blooming well into autumn. Most Clematis are deciduous vines that lose their leaves each winter and go dormant. But there are several varieties that are also evergreen through the winter and bloom in the spring.
Continue reading as we take a deeper look at several fantastic spring-blooming evergreen Clematis varieties. These evergreen plants are best suited to warmer climates, typically climate zones 7 to 9. If you live in a colder climate, there are plenty of other Clematis varieties that are cold hardy, deciduous, and have stunning early, mid, and late season flower displays.
Contents
‘Apple Blossom’
Scientific Name: Clematis armandii var ‘Apple Blossom’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 20-40 feet
- Bloom Time: Early to mid spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-11
‘Apple Blossom’ is a beautiful spring-blooming vine with an abundance of fragrant flowers. The blossoms do resemble apple blossoms and attract early season bees and butterflies. Dark pink flower buds open to delicate pink blossoms that fade to white as they get older.
This plant can grow quite vigorously so be sure to give it a large and sturdy support on which to grow. Vines can grow from 20 to 40 feet long and would be ideal for growing on a larger arbor or other structure. Grow it in an area where the sweet flower scent can be appreciated.
‘Armand’s Clematis’
Scientific Name: Clematis ‘armandii‘
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 15-30 feet
- Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Armand’s Clematis is native to Asia. It blooms in the late winter to early spring with large clusters of sweetly scented flowers. Flowers are small, white to creamy-white, and each tends to have between 4 and 6 delicate petals.
This variety attracts early season bees and butterflies. Flowers grow in dense clusters making the plant appear like it’s covered in a soft layer of white. This plant grows quickly so be sure to give it plenty of space on a solid trellis, arbor, or along a fence.
‘Avalanche’
Scientific Name: Clematis x cartmanii var ‘Blaaval’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 12-15 feet
- Bloom Time: Early to mid spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Avalanche’ is true to its name. It grows very fast and can quickly cover a trellis and act as a privacy screen. In springtime, it bursts into bloom with dense, massive clusters of flowers. This vine’s blooms are pure white, like a flowering snowdrift!
Flowers on ‘Avalanche‘ are relatively small compared to standard varieties, but slightly larger than many other evergreen varieties.
‘Balearica’
Scientific Name: Clematis cirrhosa var. ‘balearica’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 12-15 feet
- Bloom Time: Winter to early spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Also known as Fern-leaved Clematis, this variety adds to the winter landscape by blooming from winter to early spring. It develops clusters of 4 petaled, drooping, bell-like flowers. The flowers are creamy white and lightly flecked with dark maroon specks. Flowers are slightly fragrant.
This variety is a vigorous grower. It would be an ideal plant to grow as a dense privacy shield along a fence or other border. The dark green, lobed leaves are attractive year-round. It also attracts winter bees and other pollinators.
‘Early Sensation’
Scientific Name: Clematis x cartmanii var “Early Sensation”
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 5-7 feet
- Bloom Time: Early to late spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Early Sensation’ is a unique variety that stays quite small and compact, unlike many of it’s larger and more vigorous-growing relatives. A non-clinging vine, it does not need a large trellis or other fancy support, it could instead be trained to a trellis or used to drape over a fence or wall.
This attractive plant has fragrant white flowers. The leaves are attractive dark green and heavily lobed and almost look like parsley leaves. Because of it’s smaller size, this plant is very suitable for growing in a container with minimal support.
‘Freckles’
Scientific Name: Clematis cirrhosa var ‘Freckles’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 6-12 feet
- Bloom Time: Winter to early spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Freckles’ is aptly named. This smaller variety of Clematis produces white, 4 petaled flowers that are generously flecked with maroon spots. Flowers measure 1-2 inches across and somewhat bell-like, having a tendency to droop downwards. The flowers are slightly fragrant and attractive to bees and other winter pollinators.
This plant blooms early, beginning in winter and continuing into early spring. Vines grow from 6-12 feet long and look elegant growing up a trellis or against a wall.
‘Jingle Bells’
Scientific Name: Clematis cirrhosa var ‘Jingle Bells’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 10-12 feet
- Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Jingle Bells’ gets in the holiday spirit by blooming from late winter into early spring. When most other garden plants are dormant, this Clematis sports bell-shaped creamy white flowers on vigorous dark green vines. Flowers measure 2-3 inches across and are scattered throughout the entire lengths of vine.
This vine is a vigorous climber. Growing between 10 and 12 feet long, it is an excellent candidate for growing on any type of support, or allowed to cascade over a wall. After blooming, the seed heads are fluffy and quite attractive.
‘Joe’
Scientific Name: Clematis cartmanii var ‘Joe‘
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 5-6 feet
- Bloom Time: Early to mid spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
‘Joe’ is a smaller variety. Because of it’s small size, it is an ideal candidate for container gardening. It is not a strong climber but rather looks elegant cascading out of a pot, large planter, or over a raised garden edge.
‘Joe’ is a reliable spring bloomer. It grows dense clusters of solid white flowers with yellow centers. Leaves are attractive year round, dark green and deeply lobed, somewhat resembling parsley on a vine.
‘Pixie’
Scientific Name: Clematis cartmanii var ‘Pixie’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Bloom Time: Early spring to early summer
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Pixie’ is a very compact Clematis variety. Growing only 3 to 4 feet tall, it an ideal candidate for container gardening. It has frilly, dark green foliage that is attractive throughout the year. This diminutive Clematis would be a welcome addition to many garden settings.
Flower are fragrant and showy, growing profusely in dense clusters. The blooms are pale greenish-white and very unique. It starts blooming in early spring and may continue into early summer.
‘Snowdrift’
Scientific Name: Clematis armandii var ‘Snowdrift’
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 15-30 feet
- Bloom Time: Late winter to mid spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Snowdrift’ blooms in early to mid spring with a profusion of delicate white flowers. The small flowers are fragrant and are attractive to winter bees and other pollinators. The flowers grow in large clusters that look somewhat like a snowdrift, with leaves.
This variety has a very fast growth rate. With vines reaching 15-30 feet tall, it would do well if allowed to grow freely over a large arbor or wall, or along a fence. Its dark green, lance-shaped leaves grow densely, making an ideal privacy barrier.
‘Wisely Cream’
Scientific Name: Clematis cirrhosa
- Plant Type: Woody, evergreen, perennial vine
- Height: 5-20 feet
- Bloom Time: Winter to early spring
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
‘Wisely Cream’ starts blooming in mid-winter and may continue blooming into spring. It has showy white flowers that may be faintly flecked with pink. Flowers are bell shaped and have a tendency to droop downwards.
Plant them on a raised location or train over a trellis or arbor so blooms can be seen from below. This Clematis is not a very aggressive grower, making it suitable for containers.
Final Thoughts
If you think of winter gardening barren, brown, and devoid of flowers and leaves, think again. If you live in a warmer climate zone, you can add a little winter zing to your landscape with some winter and spring blooming Clematis.
These perennial vines require very little pruning and there are varieties suitable for many different garden locations. From containers to stand-alone trellises, to climbing up or draping over walls, this evergreen vine can do it all. These varieties have attractive foliage year round, and many have dense clusters of showy, sweetly scented flowers to brighten any landscape.
