Lilac and purple clematis varieties are more common than others, because when crossing these shades are inherited and manifested most often. Among them there are representatives of different groups, small-flowered and large-flowered, heat-loving and frost-resistant, unpretentious and very difficult to grow. The only thing that unites them is the color of flowers.
Akaishi
Early-blooming, large-flowered variety with bicolored sepals: lilac and purple edges and a red stripe in the middle. The color of the sepals changes depending on the age of the flower and growing conditions.
- Height: 2.5-3 meters
- Flowers: Flat, up to 15 cm in diameter, bicolor – lavender with red
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 (but more likely 5)
Anna German
“Anna Herman” (- a very popular variety with large terry flowers. It is characterized by high variability – the flowers can be different in shape and color. The variety is unpretentious, relatively stable, slowly builds up the root mass, but after the build-up blooms very abundantly.
- Pruning Group: 2 or 3
- Height: 2 to 2.5 meters
- Flowers: Large, up to 20 cm in diameter, with lavender petals and a yellow center
- Blooming Period: From June to September
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Arabella
Arabella is a wonderful variety of whole-leaved clematis with blue-purple flowers. Very fast-growing, healthy, winter-hardy variety with long flowering.
- Group: Integrifolia
- Height: 4.9 to 6.6 feet (1.5-2 meters)
- Flower Size: About 2 to 2.4 inches (5-6 cm), flat
- Flower Color: Blue-violet
- Blooming Period: June-September
- USDA Zone: 4-9
Astra Nova
‘Astra Nova’ is a brand new variety of clematis with unusual white-purple flowers. According to the manufacturer’s description, it is completely winter-hardy (USDA 6). However, there are chances that under a good shelter it will not only survive, but also save shoots for fast growth and timely flowering.
- Height: Up to 8.2 feet (up to 2.5 meters)
- Flower Size: Medium, with 6 white-violet tepals
- Blooming Period: July-September
- USDA Zone: 6-9
Ashva
‘Ashva’ is a variety of Baltic selection with large purple-purple flowers. It is quite winter-hardy and therefore perfectly suitable for the Moscow region and even more northern regions.
- Height: 4.9–6.6 feet (1.5–2 meters)
- Flowers: Large, flat, violet with a purple stripe down the middle
- USDA Zone: 4-9
Azure Ball
‘Azure Ball’ is a brand new variety of clematis with large terry light blue flowers. Unfortunately, the shade of blue is not as intense as that of forget-me-nots, but it is still very beautiful.
- Pruning Group: 2 (Light Pruning)
- Height: Up to 6.6 feet (approximately 2 meters)
- Flowers: Large, 5.9 to 6.7 inches in diameter (approximately 15 to 17 cm), semi-double or double, lilac-blue in color
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Bal Tsvetov (Flower Ball)
Clematis variety “Ball of Flowers” was obtained in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in 1968. It is not a very winter-hardy variety: in the conditions of Northern Europe and the northern states of the USA it is very difficult to preserve its shoots for early flowering. If the shoots freeze, the plants will still bloom on the shoots of the current year, but later and a little differently.
- Height: 2.5 to 3 meters
- Flowers: Large, up to 21 cm in diameter, lavender in color
- Blooming Period: June to July and August to September
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Baltyk
‘Baltic’ is a wonderful variety of clematis of Polish selection with large purple flowers. It burns out a little in the sun, but otherwise it is very good.
- Height: 2 to 2.5 meters
- Flowers: Large, with 8 violet tepals
- Blooming Period: From May to June and again in August
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Blue Surprise
This is a brand new variety of clematis, judging by the photo – absolutely stunning. It is winter hardy and the flowers are relatively small. One of several varieties in the Suprise series.
- Pruning Group: 1 (no pruning)
- Height: up to 9.8 feet (up to 3 meters)
- Flowers: medium-sized, up to 2.76 inches in diameter, semi-double, lilac-blue (up to 7 cm)
- USDA Zone: 3-9
Black Prince
‘Black Prince’ is a variety of clematis of the Viticella group. It is undemanding, winter-hardy, with unusual, very dark flowers. It is not very common.
- Height: 9.8–13.1 feet (3–4 meters)
- Flowers: Medium-sized, with 4 sepals
- Flower Color: Dark violet
- USDA Zone: 4-9
Blue Pillar
“Blue Pilar” is a relatively new variety of clematis of Polish selection. It is quite rare in American gardens, although it is a good variety.
- Height: 1 to 2 meters
- Flowers: Large, with a diameter up to 14 cm, featuring lilac tepals and a white-red center
- Blooming Period: From June to July
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Beauty of Worchester
‘Beauty of Worcester’ is a beautiful but not very winter-hardy clematis. In the conditions of the northern states of the USA, the shoots of the last year often die out completely, and on the shoots of the current year it blooms weakly. However, in Oregon and states with milder climates, as well as in Great Britain, France and most European countries, this variety grows and flowers beautifully.
- Height: 2 to 3 meters
- Flowers: Large, simple, semi-double, and double forms
- Blooming Period: May-June, repeated in August-September
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Cecile
Clematis Cecile is an early-flowering, very frost-resistant and unpretentious variety with semi-marginal flowers. Undeservedly rare in the USA, it is an excellent clematis for the northern states. Blooms usually in April-May, with good care is very abundant. It is also suitable for planting against the north wall, even in states with cold winters.
- Height: 6.6-9.8 feet (2-3m)
- Flowers: Semi-double, 1.97-2.36 inches in diameter, with violet-blue sepals and light-green stamens (5-6 cm)
- USDA Zone: 3-9
Copernicus
“Copernicus” is a new Polish variety of clematis. It differs from many other varieties with purple flowers by two things: the combination of the third pruning group with terry flowers and the short length of the stems.
- Pruning Group – 3
- Height – 4.9-6.6 feet (1.5-2 meters)
- Flowers – Flat, up to 4.7 inches (12 cm) in diameter, semi-double, lilac-colored
- Blooming Period – from June to September
- USDA Hardiness Zones – 4-9
Daniel Deronda
It is quite spectacular, but unfortunately not winter-hardy enough for growing in the northern states of the USA. It grows well in California, Texas, North Carolina, etc., but does not overwinter well in regions with cold winters.
- Height: 1.5 to 2 meters
- Flowers: Large, 15 to 22 cm in diameter, double or semi-double, blue-violet
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Diana
Diana is an unpretentious winter-hardy variety of Estonian selection. It is cut short, blooms only on the shoots of the current year, starting in July. A good choice for Michigan and other northern US states, as well as northern European countries.
- Group: Late-flowering large-flowered clematis
- Height: 2 to 2.5 meters (approximately 6.6 to 8.2 feet)
- Flower Size: Up to 22 cm in diameter
- Blooming Period: July to September
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Dorothy Walton
An excellent clematis with an interesting sepal shape. The color of sepals is not always rich, but it looks interesting in combination with white clematis or roses.
- Group: Late-Flowering Large-Flowered Clematis
- Pruning Group: 3 (hard pruning)
- Height: 3 to 4 meters (approximately 9.8 to 13.1 feet)
- Flower Description: Simple flowers with 6 to 8 tepals, approximately 10 to 15 cm in diameter, lilac to violet in color
- Blooming Period: July to September
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Elodi
‘Elodie’ is a Guernsey Nursery clematis from the Tudor Patio Collection series that was introduced this year. It is one of the lowest growing clematis on the market.
- Pruning Group: 3 (strong pruning)
- Height: 1-1.6 feet (30-50 cm)
- Flowers: medium-sized, simple, lavender-lilac in color
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Gabriel Narutowicz
“Gabriel Narutowicz” is an old Polish variety of clematis with lilac-purple flowers. The variety is not bad, but in harsh winters the shoots may freeze, and on the shoots of the current year flowering is usually weak.
- Height: 1.5 to 2 meters
- Flowers: Large, with 6-8 petals
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Gipsy Queen
‘Gipsy Queen’ is an old but hardy, abundant-flowering clematis variety with rather late blooming. If you have a warm autumn in your region, it can bloom throughout September and sometimes even into October.
- Height: 3 to 4 meters (approximately 9.8 to 13.1 feet)
- Flowers: Large, up to 16 cm in diameter, with violet sepals
- Blooming Period: From July to October
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Gisela
There are two varieties with very similar names – Gisela and Gizela. This variety with the letter “S” is a relatively new variety of German selection with small shoots and purple flowers.
- Pruning Group: 2
- Height: 1 to 1.5 meters
- Flowers: Large, up to 12 cm in diameter, with purple tepals and lavender stamens
- Blooming Period: June to August
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Haku Okan
Quite an old Japanese variety of clematis, in many ways not ideal – high-growing, requires high pruning, does not always winter well. But if everything turns out well, it rewards with abundant blooms and a very impressive shade of flowers.
- Height: up to 11.5 feet (up to 3.5 meters)
- Flowers: large, 3.9…4.7 inches (10…12 cm) in diameter, simple or semi-double, deep violet in color
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Hagley Hybrid
‘Hagley Hybrid’ is winter hardy, blooms on the shoots of the current year and therefore quite popular in the U.S., although in recent years it has been slightly crowded out by new varieties.
- Pruning Group: 3 (hard pruning)
- Height: 8.2 to 9.8 feet (2.5 to 3 meters)
- Flower Size: About 3.9 to 5.9 inches (10 to 15 cm), flat flowers with 6 sepals
- Flower Color: Pink-lilac
- Blooming Period: August to October
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Ivan Olsson
‘Ivan Olsson’ is a clematis variety with large flowers, the coloration of which is usually closer to white than to pink or blue. It blooms early and flowers usually in the lower part of the shoots.
- Group: Early-flowering large-flowered clematis
- Pruning Group: 2 (light pruning)
- Height: 2.5 to 3 meters
- Flowers: Large, up to 14 cm in diameter, with 6-8 white-lilac tepals
- Blooming Period: May-June, repeat bloom in September
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Jackmanii
Clematis ‘Jackmani’ is a very old and very popular variety that winters well in almost all regions of the United States and produces very abundant blooms.
- Height: 9.8-13.1 feet (3-4 meters)
- Flowers: Large, up to 5.9 inches (15 cm) in diameter, with 4-6 violet sepals
- Blooming Period: From July to October
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Kiri Te Kanawa
‘Kiri Te Kanawa’ is a gorgeous clematis with rich purple double flowers. It is not very winter hardy, but if you have long warm summers and moderately cold winters, I recommend trying this variety.
- Pruning group: 2 (light prune)
- Height: 7…10ft (2-3 meters)
- Flowers: double, 4″-6″ (10…15 cm) in diameter, deep purple color
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 (but more likely 5)
Multi Blue
‘Multi Blue’ is a very popular variety with large terry flowers. It is characterized by high variability – the flowers can be different in shape and color. The variety is unpretentious, relatively stable, slowly builds up the root mass, but after building up it blooms very abundantly.
- Height – up to 6.56 feet (2 m)
- Flowers – double, with a diameter of 3.94…5.91 inches (10…15 cm), lavender or purple
- USDA Hardiness Zone – 4-9
The President
The most popular variety of clematis. Very stable, very winter-hardy, well growing and abundant blooms. The best choice of a beginner clematis grower.
- Height – 6.56…13.12 feet (2…4 m)
- Flowers – large, with a diameter of 5.12…7.87 inches (13…20 cm), double or semi-double, blue-violet
- USDA Hardiness Zone – 4-9
Rhapsody
The most important thing to know is that there are two varieties of Rhapsody clematis. To be more precise, there were two, and it is not clear how they are connected.
- Height – 8.2…9.8 feet (2.5…3 m)
- Flowers – flat, with a diameter up to 5.9 inches (15 cm), lavender-blue
- USDA Hardiness Zone – 4-9
Romantica
Romantica is a rather old variety of Estonian breeder Uno Kivistica. Excellent clematis, winter-hardy, unpretentious, easy to grow, with expressive dark flowers, which are sometimes almost black.
- Pruning Group – 3
- Height – 8.2-9.8 feet (2.5-3 meters)
- Flowers – Medium and large, up to 5.9 inches (15 cm) in diameter, with dark purple sepals
- Blooming Period – from July until the first frost
- USDA Hardiness Zones – 4-9
Sinee Plamya (Blue Flame)
‘Sinee Plamya’ is an excellent variety of Soviet selection, winter-hardy, easy to grow with sometimes interesting coloring of flowers, but quite rare. Most often it is bought from collectors.
- Pruning Group – 3
- Height – 9.8-13.1 feet (3-4 meters)
- Flowers – Large, up to 5.9 inches (15 cm) in diameter, with dark purple, almost blue sepals
- Blooming Period – from July to September
- USDA Hardiness Zones – 4-9
Stefan Franczak
‘Stefan Franczak’ is a new variety of 2 pruning group with relatively small simple flowers of lilac-blue color. It is interesting primarily for its shade, but also for its abundant blooms.
- Height – up to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters)
- Flowers – medium-sized, up to 3.9 inches (10 cm) in diameter, simple, lavender-blue
- USDA Hardiness Zone – 4-9
Taiga
Taiga is one of the most popular clematis varieties, while not quite suitable for the climate of the northern states. Absolutely gorgeous purple flowers, but winter hardiness zones 7-9, must be very carefully covered.
- Height – 6.6 to 8.2 feet (2 to 2.5 meters)
- Flowers – double, up to 6.3 inches (16 cm) in diameter, violet with a greenish tint
- USDA Hardiness Zones – 7-9
Thyrislund
‘Thyrislund’ is a rather old variety of clematis from the 2nd pruning group, not very winter-hardy, but quite pretty. The star-shaped flowers, which bloom in late May, delight the eye for a long time.
- Pruning Group: 2
- Height: up to 9.8 feet (3 meters)
- Flowers: large, with white-lavender petals
- Blooming: May-June, repeat in September
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Utopia
‘Utopia’ is a variety of Japanese selection, despite its origin rather winter-hardy. Very variable color of flowers, long summer blooming.
- Group: Late-flowering large-flowered clematis
- Pruning Group: 3 (hard pruning)
- Height – 8.2 to 9.8 feet (2.5 to 3 meters)
- Flowers – up to 5.9 inches (15 cm) in diameter, simple, with 6 sepals
- Flower Color – ranging from white to lilac
- Blooming Period: June-July, with a second bloom in August
- USDA Hardiness Zones – 5-9
Wildfire
‘Wildfire’ is a Polish variety of clematis with two-colored sepals. The variety is new and how it will overwinter in different states of the USA with cold winters is not yet known.
- Pruning Group: 2
- Height: 2.5 to 3 meters
- Flowers: Large, purple with a crimson stripe
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
About the author
Fedor Fironov
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