Clematis alpina 'Helsingborg'
 |
ALPINE CLEMATIS
Family: Ranunculaceae
Pronounced: KLEM-uh-tiss al-PEEN-uh
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Vines.
 |
Mature size: Height: 8-10 feet (2.5-3 m).
Flowering period: Early spring.
Flowering attributes: Two-inch long, deep bluish-purple pointed sepals, and purple stamens on nodding, slightly twisted, bell-shaped flowers.
Leaf attributes: Deciduous, bright green leaves.
Light: Tops in full sun, feet in shade; partial shade.
Soil: Fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil.
Feeding: Mulch well with composted manure or compost. Fertilize once a month with a complete organic fertilizer during the growing season.
Propagation Methods: Layer branches in late winter. | Basal and softwood cuttings in spring. | Division in spring. | Semi-ripe cuttings in early summer.
Pruning Methods: Pruning group 1 or A.
Rainy Side Notes
Attractive, silky seed heads, which hang onto the vine long after the flowers fade, follow the charming purple-blue bells of Clematis ‘Helsingborg’. A welcome sight in spring, it flowers from April to May, co-mingling with the climbing rose, Rosa ‘Veilchenblau’, over an arbor in my garden. According to some sources, this clematis will have a second flush of bloom during summer, but I have not seen a second event happen with my vine.
C. a. ‘Helsingborg’ is a cross between C. ochotensis x C. alpina in 1970, bred by Tage Lundell in 1970 in Sweden. Raymond Evison introduced it to England, where the Royal Horticultural Society gave it an Award of Garden Merit.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
Additional Reading
Planting and Care of Clematis.
Book Recommendation: Gardening with Clematis : Design & Cultivation
Tell a friend about this page!
Questions, comments or suggestions? Would you like to communicate with other Pacific Northwest gardeners? Please join us on our forum.