Climbing vines like Clematis are always popular for homeowners looking to add a touch of greenery to their exterior home décor. From its exquisite flowers to its ability to quickly cover unsightly walls or fences, it’s no wonder several varieties of the tallest clematis are favorites among gardeners.
With more than 200 different varieties, Clematis has captivated the interest of horticulturists for centuries. While all varieties are beautiful in their own right, some are more impressive than others due to their size. You’ll find some container varieties that only reach 5 feet, but others can grow up to 30 feet in height. Let’s look at some of the tallest clematis varieties.
Tall Clematis Varieties: Our Top Picks
If you’re looking for the tallest varieties, whether for privacy purposes or to shield you from the sun during the hottest months, its dense mat of foliage, beautiful blooms, and easy-to-grow nature make it a top pick.
Here are five of the tallest varieties that you can plant:
Anemone Clematis
Anemone Clematis is one of the most vigorously growing plants, reaching up to 40 feet in height. This variety is characterized by its large white flowers with purple anemone-like centers. It blooms from midsummer to early fall and does best in full sun to partial shade.
Although it has fragile stems, Anemone Clematis is a tough plant that can tolerate poor soil conditions. Because they grow quickly, these plants are heavy feeders. It’s best to grow them in rich, well-draining soil, with organic matter added to help retain moisture.
Hardy in USDA zone 5, this beautiful flowering vine is native to Western China and the Himalayas. It does well in the morning sunlight, followed by an afternoon shade.
Etoile Violette
Considered to be a crowd favorite, Etoile Violette is a fast-growing variety that can reach heights of 15 feet. This climbing vine produces deep dark violet blooms, with about 4-6 petals each. The flowers have a diameter of around four inches and are produced in great abundance from early to midsummer.
But did you know what makes this variety unique? Once the flowers have started blooming, you’ll see very little of its foliage, with its flowers almost completely covering the plant.
This plant thrives in USDA zones 4-11. It’s one of those plants that don’t require much attention but will still flower profusely, regardless. As long as they have moist and well-draining soil, with full sunlight as their preference, these plants are free-flowering, with very little maintenance required.
Princess Diana Clematis
Although the Princess Diana variety is not as tall as the first two we’ve mentioned, with a length of about 10 feet, it’s still one of the tallest varieties you can find. And what this vine lacks in height, it makes up for in its large and beautiful flowers.
The blooms of this plant are a deep lavender color, with white centers that look like stars. They’re about four to six inches wide and appear from mid-summer to early fall.
This plant is a heavy feeder and does best in moist, well-drained soil. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8, this variety is native to Japan and China.
Carmencita Clematis
Prized for its vibrant green leaves, satin-like blooms, and its ability to bloom continuously from late spring until fall, Carmencita is one of the most popular varieties. Growing up to 15 feet in height, this climbing vine blooms profusely from late summer to early autumn.
Additionally, they’re frequently used in gardens as a ground cover, thanks to their dense foliage and flowers that deeply saturate the plant.
They’re more hardy than most and can tolerate both dry and hot conditions. Full sun is best for this plant, but it can also do well in partial shade. Carmencita is native to Spain and Portugal and hardy in USDA zones 4-5.
They can be trained as early as the first year to climb on trellises, fences, or any other garden structures.
Downy Clematis
Another variety that can grow up to 15 feet tall, Downy Clematis, is a fast-growing plant characterized by its soft, downy leaves. It produces an abundance of small white flowers, each with four petals and a diameter of around three inches. These blooms appear around April to May.
Although they have a short blooming period, the flowers are produced in great numbers, making this plant a favorite among gardeners. Additionally, Downy Clematis likes to be on a cooler part of your yard, preferably one that’s shaded from the afternoon sun.
Hardy in zones 4-9, this plant is native to Europe and Asia. With its moderate watering needs and low maintenance requirements, this is an ideal plant for beginner gardeners.
Tallest Clematis: Final Thoughts
The 5 varieties mentioned in this post don’t cover all the tallest Clematis in existence, but these are some of the most popular ones that you can find. Remember to check your USDA zone and see which among these varieties will thrive in your area.