The genus Clematis includes hundreds of species of flowering vines, most of which are deciduous, losing their leaves in the winter. Evergreen clematis varieties retain their foliage through the colder months, providing year-round structure and garden interest. This permanent green backdrop, often featuring glossy, leathery leaves, makes them excellent for screening and covering garden structures. Determining the “best” option requires weighing factors like hardiness and growth habit against the unique features of each cultivar.
Defining Evergreen Clematis
Evergreen clematis are set apart by their persistent leaves, which provide visual density and coverage even when the rest of the garden is dormant. The foliage typically consists of tough, dark green leaflets adapted to withstand mild winter conditions. This characteristic makes them excellent choices for year-round privacy screens or for cladding walls and fences.
These varieties are notable for their unconventional bloom time, often flowering from mid-winter to early spring. They belong to Clematis Pruning Group 1, meaning they bloom on wood grown the previous year, offering a welcome display when few other plants are in color. The primary species used in cultivation are Clematis armandii and Clematis cirrhosa, which differ significantly in size and flower structure.
Key Selection Criteria
Selecting the most suitable evergreen clematis depends on three primary metrics: cold tolerance, scent intensity, and overall growth vigor. The plant’s Hardiness Zone is the first constraint, as most evergreen varieties thrive in USDA Zones 7 through 9, though some cultivars can push into Zone 6 with sufficient winter protection.
Fragrance intensity varies greatly among these early bloomers, with some varieties offering a powerful, sweet aroma, while others are only lightly scented. The plant’s ultimate size and growth habit dictate its suitability for a location, as some are vigorous climbers that can quickly overwhelm smaller structures. Careful consideration of these factors will narrow the field to the best match for a gardener’s needs.
Top Recommended Cultivars
For gardeners prioritizing a powerful aroma and rapid growth, Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’ is frequently cited as the top choice. This cultivar is reliably hardy in USDA Zone 7 and above, quickly reaching heights of 20 to 25 feet, making it perfect for covering large arbors or pergolas. Its flowers emerge from deep pink buds, opening into masses of pale pink to white star-shaped blooms. These blooms release a strong, sweet almond scent in early spring.
An alternative for similar vigor and fragrance is Clematis armandii ‘Snowdrift’, which is also suited for Zone 7 gardens and grows to a comparable 25 to 30 feet in height. This cultivar produces pure white, highly fragrant flowers, offering a crisp, clean appearance without the pink blush of ‘Apple Blossom’. Both C. armandii varieties feature glossy, leathery leaves, giving them a lush, tropical look throughout the year.
For a smaller space or a unique winter display, Clematis cirrhosa ‘Freckles’ provides an excellent option. Hardier down to Zone 7, this variety is significantly less vigorous, typically reaching a manageable height of 8 to 12 feet. Its nodding, bell-shaped flowers appear much earlier, often from mid-winter. They are creamy white with distinctive maroon speckles inside, giving the cultivar its name.
The fragrance of ‘Freckles’ is lighter and more subtle than that of the armandii types. Choosing between the cultivars often comes down to the desired scale and timing of the bloom. This contrasts the robust, almond-scented spring display of C. armandii with the smaller, earlier, speckled winter flowers of C. cirrhosa varieties.
Essential Care for Success
The successful cultivation of evergreen clematis begins with proper planting in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Like all clematis, their root systems must be kept cool and moist, often achieved by shading the plant’s base with mulch, stones, or low-growing companion plants. Planting in well-drained, fertile soil is necessary to prevent root rot, which is a risk in winter.
As Group 1 clematis, these varieties bloom on old wood, meaning they should not be pruned heavily in the winter or early spring, as this removes the current year’s flower buds. Any necessary pruning for shaping or controlling size should be done immediately after the plant finishes flowering in late spring or early summer. This minimal approach allows the plant time to develop new growth that will set the buds for the following year’s early bloom.