Clematis vines are some of the most stunning flowering vines you can grow. With their incredible variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, these hardy vines can make a spectacular addition to any garden. If you’re looking for where to find clematis vines for sale near you, this guide will help you locate these gorgeous plants.
A Bit About Clematis Vines
Clematis are woody vines that can grow up to 20 feet long. They produce delicate star-shaped flowers in shades of white, red, purple, pink and blue. Some clematis bloom in spring, others in summer or fall. There are also varieties that bloom multiple times per season.
These vines grow best with cool roots and warmth and sunshine on their leaves and flowers. They can thrive in zones 4-9 when planted in the right spot.
Clematis are prized for their beauty and versatility. They can be trained to climb up mailboxes, fences, arbors, trellises and more. Or you can grow them as colorful groundcovers. With proper care, these vines can live for decades.
Where to Find Clematis Vines for Sale
Finding clematis locally will depend on the size of your city and availability from local nurseries Here are some places to check first
Independent Garden Centers
Local independent garden centers and nurseries are a great place to find clematis vines. These small businesses tend to carry a nice selection of plants not found at big box stores.
Visit garden centers in spring to early summer for the best availability Varieties sell out quickly once clematis begin blooming in summer
Ask the staff for help selecting the right clematis for your growing conditions. A local garden center can also provide tips for successful planting and care.
Home Improvement Stores
Big box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a decent selection of popular clematis varieties in spring and summer.
These retailers offer convenient shopping, especially if you’re looking for common clematis like ‘Jackmanii’ and ‘Sweet Autumn’. Just keep in mind that stock is limited compared to a nursery.
Check their garden centers or shop online for shipping. Home improvement stores may also have clematis vines available in stores for easy pickup.
Online Mail Order Nurseries
Purchasing clematis vines online is an excellent option, especially for rare and unique varieties. Reputable mail order nurseries ship healthy, mature plants nationwide.
Online shopping lets you browse hundreds of clematis varieties in one place. Filter by color, bloom time, type and more to zero in on the perfect vines.
Make sure to shop early for the best selection. Order clematis at least 6-8 weeks before your planting timeframe.
Some top mail order nurseries for clematis include:
- Brushwood Nursery – Specializes in clematis; carries over 350 varieties
- Bluestone Perennials – Wide selection of vines including new and popular clematis
- American Meadows – Great source for gardening plants; many clematis options
- Nature Hills Nursery – Large selection of plants, trees and shrubs including clematis
What to Look for When Buying Clematis Vines
When shopping for clematis, here are a few things to look for to ensure you select healthy plants:
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Foliage – Look for clematis with green, healthy looking leaves without spots, discoloration or signs of disease. Avoid vines with lots of dead leaves.
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Roots – Check container plants for a good network of healthy whitish roots with no circling of the roots.
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Soil – Clematis soil should be moist but not sopping wet. Avoid root-bound or pot-bound plants.
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** Flowers** – Pick plants with some flowers blooming so you can see they are vigorous. But don’t worry if a vine isn’t flowering yet.
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Labels – Only choose clematis vines with legible labels noting the variety name and growing details. Match the label info to the plant’s characteristics.
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Size – For container-grown clematis, a 1-2 gallon pot size is ideal. Bare root plants should have a robust root system.
By carefully selecting healthy, high-quality clematis vines from a reputable source, you’ll start your plants off right for beautiful blooms in your garden.
How to Plant and Care for Clematis Vines
Once you get your clematis vines home, proper planting and care will keep them thriving for years of enjoyment. Here are some tips:
Location
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Plant clematis in a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun to encourage maximum flowering. Morning sun is best. Light afternoon shade is okay.
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Provide a support structure for the vines to climb like a trellis, pole, fence or mailbox.
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Give clematis rich, well-draining soil amended with compost. They like slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH.
Planting
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Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball. Set the plant atop a mound so the first set of leaf nodes sit 1-2” below the soil.
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Untangle and spread out the roots. For container plants, gently loosen the roots before planting.
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Backfill the hole with soil, tamping down gently to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.
Care
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Water clematis when the top few inches of soil become dry. Provide about 1-2” of water per week.
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Apply a 2-4” layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Replenish as needed.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Prune out dead parts in late winter or very early spring.
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Provide a trellis or other support structure for vines to climb up. Train the vines as they start growing.
Follow these best practices for planting and care, and your clematis vines will thrive and delight you with their stunning blooms.
Gorgeous Types of Clematis to Grow
With over 300 species and countless cultivars, there are so many options when selecting clematis!
Here are some of the most popular types to look for:
Large-Flowered Hybrids
These showy clematis produce 5-10” flowers on old and new growth. Try ‘Jackmanii’ (velvet purple), ‘Elsa Spath’ (purple), and pink ‘Duchess of Albany’.
Small-Flowered Clematis
Dainty 2-4” blooms grace these vines that bloom on old and new wood. Sample varieties include white ‘Fragrant Spring’ and blue-purple ‘Arabella’.
Early Large-Flowered
One of the first clematis to bloom each spring, with big 4-8” flowers. Cultivars like ‘Evijohill’ (rose pink) and ‘Rebecca’ (red) are beautiful choices.
Late Large-Flowered
These clematis bloom in summer on new growth only. Some to try are ‘Ville de Lyon’ (carmine red) and lavender-blue ‘Victoria’.
Evergreen Clematis
Keep your garden looking fresh in winter with evergreen clematis. The glossy foliage stays green year-round in mild climates.
Groundcover Clematis
Instead of climbing, these clematis spread out as colorful groundcovers. ‘Alba Luxurians’ (white) and deep blue ‘Aotearoa’ are popular low-growing varieties.
Explore all the magnificent clematis options to find your perfect vines!
Get Growing with Stunning Clematis!
Clematis vines lend graceful beauty to any garden with their incredible diversity of flower shapes, sizes and colors. Now that you know where to buy these gorgeous vines from local and online sellers, it’s time to get growing!
Look for top-quality clematis from reputable nurseries and garden centers near you. Shop early for the best selection. Then provide these special vines with the right planting site, care and growing conditions.
Before you know it, you’ll have showy clematis blooming in your yard. Then you can sit back and enjoy their stunning floral displays!
With the right clematis vines, you can create privacy screens, accent your mailbox, cover fences and arbors in flowers and add pops of color to your garden beds. Get creative and have fun designing with these beautiful climbers.
So explore the many clematis types and cultivars. Find new heights of garden delight with these sensational flowering vines!
Celebrating over 50 Years of Sales and Service The Donahue Family Welcomes You
In 1972 Dick & Lois Donahue purchased the Lehman Gardens Mums of Minnesota and moved their family from St. James to Faribault. With much hard work and dreams the family has built a successful family business.
In the early 1980s the business saw a need in the greenhouse industry for a good quality clematis grower. From there Donahues niche was found! Donahues is currently one of the largest clematis growers in the US. We are celebrating growing plants and our families for over 50 years in Faribault.
Back row: Dan Zweber, Mark Donahue, Mick Donahue, Tim Donahue, Jim Donahue, Phil Zweber Front row: Mandy Zweber Bruder, Mary Donahue, Lois Donahue Cleary, Kathy Donahue Nass, Victoria Nass, Julie Donahue Zweber
Opening for the season April 16th 2025 Countdown to Opening Day!
Donahues Greenhouse grows one of the largest selections of clematis in the country. Our staff has picked a few of their current favorite varieties to feature. You will find these to be unique, beautiful, and vigorous. Try one of these beauties!
Greenhouses, Garden Centers, & Nurseries
As one of the largest growers of clematis, we have a very extensive list of varieties that you can offer your customers. Located in Faribault, MN we ship small liner plants in 2.5” and 3.5” pots that you are able to grow on and finish. We also grow finished plants that can be shipped and sold immediately upon receipt. Donahues Greenhouse in Faribault, MN
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Growing Clematis / Discover The Secret To Growing Beautiful Vines
FAQ
What month is best to plant clematis?
The best time to plant clematis is in late spring or early autumn, when the soil is moist and warm, but not too hot.Feb 8, 2024
How many years does it take for a clematis to bloom?
It can take several years for a clematis vine to mature and begin flowering prolifically. To shorten the wait, purchase a plant that’s at least two-years old. Clematis also prefer soil that’s neutral to slightly alkaline in pH.
Does clematis like sun or shade?
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Sunlight:Clematis generally need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal flowering, though some varieties can tolerate partial shade.
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Shaded Roots:While the vines need sunlight, their roots prefer cooler, shaded conditions.
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Planting Tips:
- Plant clematis where the mature vine will have its head in the sun and its roots in the shade.
- Consider planting near a structure or other plants that will provide shade for the roots.
- Mulch around the base of the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist.
- Plant clematis where the mature vine will have its head in the sun and its roots in the shade.
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Shade-Tolerant Varieties:Some clematis varieties, like ‘Nelly Moser’ and ‘Henryi’, can tolerate partial shade, but may not flower as profusely as those in full sun.
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Other Considerations:
- Clematis prefer moist, well-drained soil.
- They are hungry feeders, so add plenty of organic matter when planting and feed regularly.
- Provide a sturdy trellis or support structure for the plant to climb.
- Clematis prefer moist, well-drained soil.
Do clematis vines grow fast?
Each variety will grow at different speeds, but the plants are known to grow anywhere from a couple feet each year, to growing over 20 feet in one year!Dec 1, 2020
Where can I buy Clematis vines online?
Rest assured, when you buy Clematis vines online from Wilson Bros Gardens we safely ship the highest quality container-grown specimens that are ready upon arrival to plant and thrive for years to come in your gardens – Guaranteed! Wilson Bros Gardens brings you awesome every day!
Where can I get free shipping on Clematis outdoor plants?
Get free shipping on qualified Clematis Outdoor Plants products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Outdoors Department.
Are Clematis perennials?
Clematis vines are some of our best-selling perennials. Garden Crossings offers over 70 varieties of clematis; more than any other mail order nursery! These flowering perennial vines come in colors ranging from light lavender to deep purple, from burgundy to pink. We even have a yellow clematis variety!
Can Clematis grow in full sun?
Most clematis vines grow best when their tops are in full sun and their roots are somewhat shaded. Make clematis vines a part of your perennial garden. New! Buy Clematis Online from Garden Crossings Online Garden Center. Shop from our huge selection of old favorites and hard to find Perennial plants.
How tall do Clematis vines grow?
There are some small varieties that grow between 2-4 feet tall and are perfect for container gardens and small spaces. Most clematis vines grow best when their tops are in full sun and their roots are somewhat shaded. Make clematis vines a part of your perennial garden. New! Buy Clematis Online from Garden Crossings Online Garden Center.
Does Clematis ship directly to my door?
We ship hundreds of varieties of clematis and other vines directly to your door! We offer true, gallon size plants and Free Shipping to all 50 states.