Vines

‘Dragon Lady’ Crossvine produces showy salmon red trumpet-shaped flowers in early to mid summer. Bignonia ‘Dragon Lady’ is vigorous and fast growing, so it does well on strong tall trellises. The semi-evergreen dark green foliage turns shades of bronze and purple in fall. ‘Dragon Lady’ should be pruned vigorously just after blooming to keep it neat and tidy.

'Morning Calm' Chinese Trumpetcreeper has huge open-faced flowers that are orange, apricot and yellow.  Flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.  Slower growing and more woody, Campsis grandiflora 'Morning Calm' knows its place in the landscape better than the native form. The species is native to eastern and southeastern China.  'Morning Calm' was introduced by the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC in the mid 1980s.

'Stromboli' Trumpet Vine has very large open-faced deep red flowers that start appearing in mid July.  The bloom period is into August, and 'Stromboli' produces a quantity of 3" trumpets throughout its blooming season.  This native vine is an important summer food source for hummingbirds.

We are often asked questions about pruning Clematis, and cultivars are often divided into groupings (1, 2 and 3) which are guides for optimal pruning.  Based on our own experience at Pleasant Run Nursery (and to simplify things), we have designated our Clematis into Group A and Group B.  

Group A:  Cultivars which benefit from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

Avant-Garde™ ('Evipo 033') Clematis comes from the Evison/Poulson hybridizing program. The 3" flowers are a showy combination of red surrounding pink petaloid stamens, making the blooms look almost double. The bloom period is July to September. Since Avant-Garde™ is a heavy bloomer, the show is very eye catching.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

Bourbon™ ('Evipo 018'(N)) Clematis is another exciting introduction from the Evison/Poulson breeding program.  The large (5") flowers are a bright red, set off by bright yellow anthers.  Although shorter than many Clematis, the flower display is impressive.  Bourbon™ blooms June to August and would make an interesting addition to large mixed containers.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

'Duchess of Edinburgh' Clematis is a very showy vine, with quantities of double white flowers in May and June. Blooms are large and long lasting.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

'General Sikorski' Clematis is a vigorous climbing vine with large lavender blue flowers set off by soft yellow stamens.  Clematis 'General Sikorski' starts blooming in late spring and continues throughout June.  Like a number of other Clematis, 'General Sikorski' will often rebloom in late summer and early fall.  This vigorous vine needs something to cling to, so plant it with a trellis or beside a shrub which it can grow up through. 

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

The rich pink ruffled flowers of Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid' bloom from June to July. The blooms are large and very showy.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

Clematis 'Henryi' has large white flowers with brown anthers. Blooms June to August.  We love this Clematis for the brilliant whiteness of its flower.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

The large velvet purple flowers of Clematis 'Jackmanii Superba' bloom in June to September and will rebloom dependably. The classic large purple Clematis.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

Clematis 'Multi-Blue' has large dark blue to purple flowers which are double, made even showier by the frilly white tipped stamenoids. Blooms for an extended time starting in June and the flowers persist longer because they're double and therefore sterile.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

PRN Preferred:  Large long blooming flowers.  Once the petals fall the anthers remain for added interest.

The bicolor pink flowers of Clematis 'Nelly Moser' have a darker pink stripe on each petal. Blooms May to June and again in September. Blooms are large and striking.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

Clematis 'Niobe' has large magenta flowers with yellow anthers. Blooms May to June and again in September. The color makes the flower look velvety.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

Nubia™ (‘Evipo079’) Clematis is a beautiful introduction from Raymond Evision. The large flowers are a deep crimson red, on a somewhat compact vine. Clematis Nubia™ is part of the Boulevard® series, and performs well on trellises and fences. A very cool use for Clematis is in combination with shrubs, where the plants can support the vine and display the flowers. Nubia™ should be pruned in late winter or early spring.

Clematis 'Ramona' has large lavender blue flowers with dark anthers. Blooms June to August. This is one of our favorite blue Clematis.

Clematis 'Rhapsody' has large sapphire blue flowers set off by yellow anthers. Blooms July to August. We have been very impressed with the flower color and length of bloom time.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

The deep blue bell-like flowers of Clematis 'Rooguchi' have lighter, upward-curving interiors. A scrambler, not a climber (needs to be fastened to support). Blooms June to September, and one of our favorite vines.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

Sapphire Indigo™ Clematis ('Cleminov 51') is a short non-clinging vine with gorgeous purple-blue flowers in June and July.  It can be used as a loose open groundcover, but it works even better if allowed to twine up through small shrubs and sturdy perennials.  The 4" blooms open as an open-faced purple and mature to a beautiful sapphire blue.  Hybridized by INRA in France and introduced into the US by Conard Pyle Nurseries.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

PRN Preferred:  A long blooming sprawler, excellent when used in mixed borders.

Clematis 'The President' has large deep purple flowers. Blooms from June to September. A dependable rebloomer, and a striking vine to run up through shrubs and small trees.

Group A:  Benefits from a light pruning in late winter or early spring, followed by a light pruning after the summer bloom period.  The second pruning encourages the large flowered cultivars to rebloom in late summer.

Clematis durandii has deep blue flowers of 4 petals with creamy, showy anthers, on a non-clinging, scrambling vine. Blooms July and August. Unusual and very striking.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

Golden Clematis has yellow pendant flowers in June through August produced on a vigorous climbing vine.  The bell-shaped flowers of 4 petals appear for an extended period, followed by attractive silky seedheads.  Although Clematis tangutica has been in the US since the late 1800s, it is not easily found in commerce.  If not run up a trellis, Clematis tangutica can also be used as a rather rampant groundcover.

The white fragrant flowers of Sweet Autumn Clematis are prolific. This Clematis grows very rapidly to a large size. Blooms September and October, with small star-like white flowers.

'Princess Diana' Scarlet Clematis has beautiful tulip-shaped flowers in June and July, with fairly consistent reblooming in early fall. The up-facing blooms are soft pink on the outsides and dark-rose pink on the insides, making a lovely two-toned effect. The habit is scrambling, and needs some support.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

PRN Preferred:  Unique tulip-shaped deep pink flowers followed by silky seed heads.

'Duchess of Albany' Scarlet Clematis has clear pink bell shaped flower which have a deep rose bar in the centers of petals for a lovely bi-colored effect. Blooms prolifically starting in July through September. Shows more heat tolerance than many Clematis.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

North American native Clematis virginiana is a fragrant, autumn-blooming vine with a rapid growth habit. It typically occurs in woodlands, thickets, and other low-lying areas, and scrambles up other vertical plants or structures for support. Without support, this prolific grower will sprawl in a dense, tangled mat along the ground. Small, fragrant white flowers cover the vine from August to October, at which point fluffy seedheads will begin to display. Woodbine is known to be an aggressive self-seeder and can be quick to establish by suckers, making it a great selection for quickly covering trellises, vertical supports, or acting as a native groundcover in areas with moist, rich, well-drained soil. Flowers are attractive to pollinators including hummingbirds and the foliage is often used as nesting habitat for many songbirds.

The sky-blue bell-like flowers of 'Betty Corning' Italian Clematis bloom July to September. The habit is vigorous and it covers a trellis rapidly. All C. viticellas are highly resistant to Clematis wilt.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

'Etoile Violette' Italian Clematis has multiple small deep purple flowers. Blooms heavily from July to September on a fast growing vine.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

'Madame Julia Correvon' Italian Clematis blooms for a prolonged period from late June to September, producing a large quantity of 3" bright reddish wine flowers with yellow stamens. The viticella Clematis types flower on new growth, so they do well with a hard pruning in late winter to early spring. As a self-clinging vine, 'Madame Julia Correvon' does very well growing up trellises or winding up small trees or through large shrubs. The roots are happiest in cool shade and the tops prefer full sun.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

The large violet flowers of 'Venosa Violacea' Italian Clematis have vivid white centers running down each petal, giving it a bi-color effect. Blooms July to September.

Group B:  Species and Cultivars which tend to be more vigorous growers.  They preform best with a yearly hard pruning in late winter or early spring.  Always remove dead stems, and cut the Group B plants back to 1' to 2'. 

The fragrant yellow trumpet-shaped flowers of 'Margarita' Carolina Jessamine appear in April and May and are more prolific in full sun, although shade tolerant. Foliage is dark glossy green and semi-evergreen. This Gelsemium is a cold hardy selection sent by Tom Dodd, Jr. of Alabama to Gene Cline of Georgia, who introduced it to the trade.  It was found by Don Jacobs of Eco Gardens and he named it after his wife.

PRN Preferred:  Early season fragrant blooms completely cover this vine.  A show-stopper when in bloom, quick to establish.

The white flat hydrangea flowers of Climbing Hydrangea appear in mid summer. It is a vigorous woody vine for part sun and shade locations. Native to eastern Siberia, Japan, China and South Korea.  Fall color is yellow and exfoliating bark adds winter interest.  Can be trained to grow on fences, trunks of large trees, or sprawled over stone walls.

The tubular yellow flowers of 'John Clayton' Trumpet Honeysuckle appear on a compact repeat-blooming form. This Lonicera was found in 1991 on the grounds of a 17th century church in Gloucester, Virginia.  Lonicera sempervirens flowers on new growth, avoid pruning until after flowering.  Best grown on a support such as a arbor, fence or trellis.  Although flowers of this native plant are only mildly fragrant they are loved by butterflies and other pollinators.  Lonicera sempervirens 'John Clayton' will produce berries in the fall which are quickly eating by birds.  Named after John Clayton who was a colonial botanist and plant collector from Gloucester County, Virginia.

The coral red flowers of 'Major Wheeler' Trumpet Honeysuckle bloom for a very long time from late spring through the summer especially with a post-bloom trim.  Loved by hummingbirds. Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler' has clean foliage; blooms on previous year's growth and new growth.  'Major Wheeler' is a non-aggressive, non-invasive honeysuckle that needs the support of a trellis, cage or fence to wind and wrap itself around.  Found by Charles Wheeler of the NC Botanical Garden Foundation.  PHS Gold Medal Plant 2015.

PRN Preferred:  Very showy red flowers and disease free foliage, blooms for a very long time.

'Fenway Park' Boston Ivy has bright yellow leaves that turn to lime-green in summer and brilliant scarlet-red in fall. It was found by Dr. Peter Del Tredici of the Arnold Arboretum near the famous baseball stadium as a chance sport of Parthenocissus tricuspidata.  Boston Ivy is salt tolerant.

'Amethyst Falls' American Wisteria has fragrant, short bluish lavender flowers from June to August on current season's growth. It reblooms sporadically throughout the summer. It tolerates wet sites, and works well on pergolas.  Introduced by Bob Head of Head-Lea Nursery.

'Nivea' American Wisteria has fragrant white flowers on short racemes in June and July and reblooms sporadically. Less showy but much less aggressive than the Chinese Wisterias.  'Nivea' was reportedly discovered in the wild by Mary Gibson Henry, founder of Pennsylvania's Henry Foundation.  Since Wisteria is a legume, its root system fixes atmospheric nitrogen, enabling it o establish and grow well even in the poorest soil.