Clematis 'Henryi'

A fine old English variety, popular since the late 1800s, Clematis 'Henryi' is a showy, perennial, large-flowered clematis offering late spring/early summer to late summer interest, blooming heavily in late spring/early summer with a second wave of blooms in late summer/early fall on the current year's growth. Free flowering, the plant sets huge, 6- to 8-inch, star-shaped, creamy white flowers with a spot of purplish brown anthers in the center. The plant blooms on old and new wood, and at maturity, the vine is fully covered in flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

A deciduous, climbing vine, Clematis 'Henryi' has a twining and trailing habit of large, thick leaves that stay fresh and attractive all season. There is an old saying about clematis' growth rate: The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap. Train clematis to climb a trellis, arbor, post, or fence, adding vertical interest. Or allow it to amble along the ground, meandering gracefully through the shrubbery. But for something really special, pair it with a climbing rose, allowing the nimble clematis to twine its way around the sturdy rose stalks. The two will elegantly mingle blooms in the early season, but the clematis will carry it through the heat of summer and the rose will pick up again in fall as the clematis' blooms fade.

Cold hardy, easy to grow, and disease resistant, Clematis 'Henryi' prefers cool, moist, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade. Good site selection is key. So, remember the adage for success with clematis when planting: feet in the shade, head in the sun. The plant should be placed where the leaves get plenty of sunshine (approx. 6 hours), but the roots are shaded and kept cool, either by low-growing, evergreen shrubs or by heavy mulch. Good drainage is important, and extremely wet locations should be avoided. Protect plants from strong winds but allow good air circulation. Deer and black walnut resistant.

A Group 2 large-flowered clematis (includes rebloomers that produce flowers on old wood in late spring/early summer and often bloom again on new wood [current year's growth] in late summer or fall), Clematis 'Henryi' should be pruned moderately in late winter to early spring before blooming has begun. Remove dead wood and cut the remaining stems 6 to 8 inches, to the topmost pair of large, plump green buds. Trim just enough to encourage new growth without losing promising buds. Deadheading is unnecessary. If training to climb, loosely tie the vines to their structure at this time.

Uses: Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall Sides, Fences, Borders, Beds, and Containers