Cestrian's Garden
CLEMATIS ETOILE VIOLETTE
GROUP 3
Common Name: Viticella Group clematis
Genus: Clematis
Cultivar: 'Etoile Violette'
Skill Level: Experienced
Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Chalky/alkaline, Dry
Height: 350cm
Spread: 90cm
Time to prune: February to March
Raised in France back in 1885, 'Etoile Violette' holds its own among modern varieties and has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) which is for plants of outstanding excellence. Vigorous and free-flowering, it produces its violet flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. It is a member of the viticella group of clematis and as such it shows good resistance to clematis wilt. As with all the late-flowering clematis, pruning is easy. Simply cut back the stems to a pair of strong buds 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground level before growth begins in early spring. This pruning technique makes late-flowering clematis useful for training into shrubs, trees and climbing roses as the clematis growth is removed each spring and so never becomes too much of a burden on its supporting plant.
