Clematis texensis, commonly called scarlet clematis or Texas clematis, is a stunning native vine from Texas that climbs 10 to 15 feet and rewards gardeners with tulip to bell-shaped flowers in reddish orange to scarlet from early summer through frost. This species thrives in hardiness zones 4 through 8, growing as a moderate-maintenance climber that reaches 120 to 180 inches tall. Unlike many large-flowered clematis hybrids, scarlet clematis flowers on current year's growth, making it forgiving and reliable even for gardeners new to clematis.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
180in H x 36in W
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High
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The delicate tulip-shaped flowers, each about an inch across, bloom in waves from July through September, creating months of vibrant color on relatively modest foliage. Scarlet clematis handles the tricky clematis wilt far better than hybrid varieties, giving it real staying power in the garden. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and needs only moderate water once established, while its tolerance for black walnut and deer resistance make it a practical choice for challenging landscapes.
Scarlet clematis is grown as an ornamental climber for trellises, arbors, pergolas, and tall structures where its long vining habit and months of showy flowers provide continuous summer color. The moderate-sized blooms and airy foliage suit narrow spaces and vertical gardens where heavier vines would overwhelm the landscape.
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Prune scarlet clematis hard in late winter to early spring, cutting back to approximately 8 to 12 inches from the ground down to strong leaf buds. This variety belongs to Pruning Group 3, meaning it flowers on new growth produced after pruning, so aggressive pruning will not sacrifice your blooms. This approach also encourages the dense, vigorous growth habit that fills a trellis with color.
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“Clematis texensis has become a foundational species in clematis breeding, spawning a large number of hybrids beginning in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Breeders recognized the species' valuable traits, its disease resistance, prolific flowering on new wood, and that distinctive tulip-shaped form, and crossed it with other clematis to create the colorful, long-blooming hybrids familiar to gardeners today. The species itself arrived at gardens through its native Texas heritage, eventually recognized as a superior parent for modern clematis development.”