When should I prune it?

Prune hard in late winter or early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but appreciates having its roots shaded by other plants.

Plant guide

Italian leather flower.

Clematis viticella

Pronounced klem-AH-tis vi-ti-SEL-la

Also known as European purple clematis, Italian clematis, Italian leather flower, Italian leather-flower, Italian virgin's-bower, Purple Clematis

This lovely climber is a favorite for its abundance of nodding, bell shaped flowers. It is a vigorous grower that adds a touch of elegance to any garden trellis or fence. You will enjoy its long blooming season from summer into early autumn.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous climbing vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 10 to 15 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Plant this beauty with its roots in the shade and its stems in the sun. Keep an eye out for wilting stems, which can indicate fungal issues. Provide a sturdy support structure for the vines to climb as they grow.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune back hard in late winter or early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant has outgrown its container or needs fresh soil.
Soil: Well draining, fertile, humus rich soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant can cause skin irritation and are toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as ingestion of any part can lead to mouth and stomach irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis upon contact.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant risk of respiratory allergy from this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Nodding bell shaped flowers
Four distinct sepals per bloom
Pinnate leaves with ovate leaflets
Slender twining stems
Small clusters of silky seed heads

Height: 3 to 4m
Spread: 1 to 2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, violet, blue, pink, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: brown

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth appears on leaves during periods of high humidity and poor airflow.
Aphids · Small sap sucking insects may cluster on new growth during the spring.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back stems to about 30 cm above the ground in late winter. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It grows well in large containers at least 45 cm deep provided it has a sturdy trellis.

Softwood cuttings

Take 10 cm cuttings in late spring.
Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a moist, well draining potting mix.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity until rooted.

Always plant a low growing perennial at the base to keep the roots cool and moist.

Grows well with

Rose · They share similar light requirements and create a classic vertical display.
Lavender · It provides a contrasting texture and shades the clematis roots.

Similar species

Sweet Autumn Clematis · It is another vigorous climber but blooms later in the season with white flowers.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Clematis
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Europe and Western Asia.
Conservation: This plant is not currently listed as endangered or of conservation concern.

It naturally climbs through shrubs and hedgerows to reach sunlight in forest edges.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: vertical gardening, trellis climber, arbor cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I prune it?: Prune hard in late winter or early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun but appreciates having its roots shaded by other plants.

Where the name comes from

The name viticella comes from the Latin for little vine, referring to its climbing habit.

Good to know

It is often called the Italian leather flower.
It is one of the most vigorous and reliable clematis species for home gardens.
The flowers have a delicate nodding habit that looks lovely on fences.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.