Summer Blooming Clematis - Types Of Clematis That Bloom In Summer

Clematis is one of the most versatile and showy blooming vines available. The variety of flower size and shape is staggering with new cultivars and collectables coming out annually. You can actually have a clematis show nearly year-round if you avail yourself of the winter, spring and summer-flowering clematis varieties. Summer-blooming clematis are not as common as the spring bloomers, but there are some exciting varieties that can have you enjoying cascades of vines and flowers until fall. Vertical color shows provide zing to the landscape and clematis is one of the best plants to grow for such displays. Summer-flowering clematis varieties may bloom only in June and July, or they may last until fall. The types of clematis that bloom in summer are divided into vining and non-vining types. Each has a unique growth habit, yet still the stunning colorful blooms. If you are tired of your spring bloomers peeking out by spring's end and want clematis flowers for summer, try some of the following species.

Vining Summer-Blooming Clematis

Vining varieties are climbing and will require support. Some examples of summer clematis types that are vining are Sweet Autumn and Durand. Sweet Autumn has tiny flowers that are sweetly scented. Durand is a big bloomer with lavender blue flowers that are 4 inches (10 cm.) across. If you want even bigger flowers, try Elsa Spath. Her blooms get 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) across on 8 to 12 inch (20-31 cm.) long vines. Some other notable vining summer-blooming clematis are:

• Henryi
• Jackmani
• Mrs. Cholmondeley

Non-Vining Summer Clematis Types

Non-vining clematis are useful in a perennial garden or as stand-alone specimens in containers. Instead of long vining stems, these plants produce bushy compact forms.

• Solitary clematis is a diminutive example of bushy summer clematis types. It is only 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) tall and wide and has lavender flowers with ivory centers. It will bloom well into fall.
• Tube clematis has blue funnel-shaped blooms, a 3 to 4 foot tall (1 m.) bush and blooms in August until early fall.
• Mongolian Gold blooms in late summer. It is drought tolerant and cold hardy. The plant gets 3 feet (1 m.) high and is covered in a mass of 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep yellow, fragrant flowers.

Other Types of Clematis That Bloom in Summer

Enjoying clematis flowers for summer also requires the proper pruning. Most summer bloomers get pruned in late winter to early spring. The amount of material you take off depends on the type of plant. Those with large flowers are pruned hard to 18 inches (46 cm.) from the soil line. The early summer varieties should be pruned lightly and selectively. Some types of clematis that bloom in summer and get a hard pruning would be:

• Gypsy Queen
• Jackmani
• Mrs. Cholmondeley
• Rouge Cardinal

Those that need light pruning might be:

• Ville de Lyon
• Niobe
• Madame Edouard Andre

Oddly, one summer bloomer, Ramona, needs no pruning to produce its sky blue 6 to 8 inch (15-20 cm.) flowers.