The Clematis x ‘Niobe’ brings an unusually rich color to your garden, like the color of ruby velvet. It is one of the more restrained sized vines (unlike some of the wilder ones like the Autumn clematis) and gives a full show of blooms covering the plant for relatively long period of time. It will create a remarkable feature when used on a trellis or to decorate a pole.
I like its large maroon flowers with their golden boss, especially alongside a group of Echinacea or in the company of Rosa glauca. It has an almost Gothic look to it. Many advise to contrast it with a white or pink climbing rose or other light colored companion, but I like the play of subtle harmonies that such a deep red can inspire.
from: Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.[/one_third]
- Grows 8 to 10 feet
- Hardy from zone 4 to 9
- Grow in sun, but shade the roots
- Moisture retaining soil that is well drained
- Needs good fertility
- Medium green leaves
- Medium texture
- Early flowering with large blooms
- Blooms on old wood
‘Niobe’ was raised by Wladyslaw Noll from a plant in Poland, then introduced in 1975 by Jim Fisk, so it is a fairly recent introduction. Not for heirloom gardens.
Crimson red to deep red blooms makes Niobe a standout.
The variation in flower shade is the effect of how the color changes as the blooms age, particularly with full sun exposure. It doesn’t diminish the beauty at all, and the flowers are very long lasting.
Resource Links
Pruning by growth type
Feature photo by billums
