What: Clematis “Etoile Violette” is a medium-sized vine that produces deep royal-purple flowers in profusion in mid-summer. Each flower is about 3 inches across and can cover the vine in full flower. After the first flowering, a light shearing will encourage a rebloom later in the season. Also known as viticella clematis, the vine has a slightly more open growth habit making it a good choice for growing in large shrubs and small trees.
Where: This clematis will grow best in full sun to light or open shade. Provide a location with rich, well-drained soil where it can be regularly watered during dry weather.
Size: “Etoile Violette” grows to be 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide when mature.
Care: Plant vines that are well rooted and at least two years old. In our climate, planting too deeply can smother the roots. Set young plants at the same depth they were in their nursery pots. Clematis are heavy feeders and appreciate fertilizing in spring. This clematis blooms on new growth, so it is best to prune in winter. Remove congested or tangled growth and thin to the strongest stems. Well-established plants can be cut back to 12 inches tall in winter to remove large tangles, allowing robust new stems to fill out the plant.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
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