Clematis Nelly Moser

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Since its introduction in 1897, Clematis 'Nelly Moser' has been a gardeners' favorite worldwide. Clematis 'Nelly Moser' 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, rosy lilac single flowers with a distinctive carmine stripe and a center boss of purplish brown anthers. The plant blooms on old and new wood; and at maturity, the vine is fully covered in flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The final flush of bloom is followed by handsome seed heads, keeping this climber interesting until winter.

A deciduous climbing vine, Clematis 'Nelly Moser' has a twining and trailing growth habit of bright green foliage that stays 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 'Nelly Moser' prefers cool, moist, well-drained, alkaline soil and full sun to part shade but tolerates more shade than most. 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 the vine 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 'Nelly Moser' 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