This variety is a good selection for containers, courtyards, and patios, or for use as a ground cover, scrambling through beds and over problem areas.
Robust and hardy, ‘Maidwell Hall’ is suitable for cultivation in Zones 3 to 9.
6. Mayleen
Highly floriferous, C. montana var. rubens ‘Mayleen’ puts on a dazzling show, producing multitudes of vanilla-scented, satin-pink blossoms with bright yellow stamens.
Blooming a bit later than some of the others in this group, in late spring to early summer, the small, open-faced flowers measure two to three inches.
The vines are fast-growing to a length of 30 feet. The deciduous, trifoliate leaves are medium-green with a distinct bronze cast to the edges, and burgundy tones in fall.
‘Mayleen’
Spectacular for framing doors and windows or climbing on fences, latticework, pergolas, and walls, ‘Mayleen’ has good resistance to clematis wilt and is hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
‘Mayleen’ plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
7. Pamela Jackman
C. alpina ‘Pamela Jackman’ produces an abundant display of pretty, pod-like buds that open to reveal frilly, nodding blooms in mid- to late spring.
The two-inch flowers have purply-blue outer petals and a white inner skirt with chartreuse to yellow stamens. These morph into lovely, silver seed heads for summer and fall.
‘Pamela Jackman’ is gorgeous on fences, pergolas, and walls, and adds unique interest when trained against conifer hedges.
The deciduous, multi-stemmed vines grow up to 12 feet in length, and are hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
8. Pink Swing
Delicate and dreamy, C. macropetala ‘Pink Swing’ has beautiful, nodding double flowers of creamy pink with yellow stamens, and a light scent of grapefruit.
The dense vines blossom in mid-spring with an occasional, light rebloom in summer.
The nodding, four-inch flowers have pale pink outer petals and lightly twisted, creamy inner ones that swing open and flare out like a tutu.
Deciduous and multi-stemmed, ‘Pink Swing’ adds breezy charm when trained along fences, over stumps, and up and through shrubs like rhododendrons, or it may be used as a ground cover.
These plants grow six to 11 feet, and are hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
9. Pixie
Bewitching as the wee folk, C. cartmanii x ‘Pixie’ is a dwarf evergreen that produces masses of delicate, creamy white blooms with lime green stamens and a lovely, citrusy perfume.
The small, eight-petaled single flowers are open-faced, and bloom in early to late spring.
The compact vines grow up to five feet in length, and with a prostrate growth habit, they’re ideal for spilling out of large containers or window boxes, scrambling through rockeries, or climbing up a small obelisk.
‘Pixie’ appreciates a sheltered growing site, and is hardy in Zones 7 to 9.
10. Rubens
The highly floriferous C. montana var. rubens is a showstopper, with masses of pastel pink flowers with cream to lime green stamens that bloom in mid-spring to early summer.
The two- to three-inch buttercup-like blossoms cover the vines and exude a sweet vanilla fragrance. Fluffy silver seed heads follow.
A deciduous variety, the small, ternate leaves have a handsome bronzed-green hue and take on burgundy tones in fall.
Rubens
The vigorous vines need sturdy support for proper growth, and are stunning when climbing porches, framing doors and windows, or winding through large trees.
Rubens has good resistance to clematis wilt and is hardy in Zones 6 to 9. Plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
11. Ruby
A bright gem in the early spring garden, C. alpina ‘Ruby’ features nodding and boldly colored, pinky-red flowers with pale yellow stamens that occasionally rebloom on new wood in summer.
With a trailing, scrambling habit that works well as a ground cover, ‘Ruby’ is also a good climber on trellises, and makes a pretty choice for containers, courtyard gardens, and patios.
The deciduous, multi-stemmed vines are fast-growing with a mature size of five to 10 feet. These plants are hardy in Zones 4 to 9.
12. White Swan
Serene and graceful, C. macropetala ‘White Swan’ features a bevy of snow white, nodding flowers with soft, buttery yellow stamens that bloom in late spring to early summer.
Wooly seed heads adorn the vines in summer and fall.
The multi-stemmed, deciduous vines have a twining and trailing habit that’s well-suited for use as seasonal hedges and screens, as a scrambling ground cover, or spilling down banks and over retaining walls.
‘White Swan’ grows 10 to 12 feet, and is hardy in Zones 3 to 9.
13. Willy
Dainty and elegant, C. alpina ‘Willy’ features a handsome display of nodding, mauvy-pink flowers with buttery yellow stamens that blossom in mid- to late spring, and may rebloom lightly in summer.
A multi-stemmed deciduous vine, the three- to four-inch blooms are followed by fluffy silver seed heads in summer and fall.
The vines grow six to 10 feet with a twining, trailing habit that can be trained onto obelisks and trellises, or used as a ground cover for spilling over slopes and walls. ‘Willy’ is hardy in Zones 3 to 9.
Tips for Growing Group 1 Vines
Easy and highly rewarding to cultivate, there are only three rules for growing clematis:
- Keep the roots cool.
- Provide sun for the foliage.
- Prune according to their cultivation group, whether that be Group 1, 2, or 3.
Spring-blooming varieties are the earliest species and hybrids in the Clematis genus to flower, and these belong to Group 1, the non-pruning group.
New buds form on shoots from old wood, and the plants require only a light grooming to clean and tidy them up at the end of winter.
This group also has some of the largest specimens, with thick, woody stems and an extensive reach of up to 30 or 40 feet for species like C. montana and C. armandii.
When planting, ensure the larger varieties have sturdy supports that can bear the weight of mature plants, particularly the evergreens, which can develop lush – and heavy – foliage canopies.
