Are you yearn for elegant vine with gilded flowers , live colors , and a carefree habit , but live in a region with short summertime ?
Look no further than the authentic charm of clematis ( Clematisspp . ) .
If you have long , cold winter and want to make the most of a myopic growing season , these vigorous climber provide an wanton room to add color and grain to your garden .
Growing clematis successfully in cold regions , such as USDA Hardiness zona 3 to 4 , starts with plunk the correct works – not all can handle sub - zero temperatures .
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as luck would have it , there are several clematis species and cultivars that are audacious enough to last – and thrive – in these area .
So , if your brusk summertime and tenacious , cold winters make grow perennial vines a challenge , read on for our list of clematis top pick for Zones 3 and 4 – the good cold - stout varieties for bad winter !
What You’ll Learn
1 . Bees ’ Jubilee
2 . Bernadine
3 . fairy bluebird
4 . Blue Ravine
5 . Capitaine Thuilleaux
6 . Paul Cezanne
7 . Comtesse de Bouchaud
8 . Lake Constance
9 . Duchess of Albany
10 . Duchess of Edinburgh
11 . Edda
12 . Ernest Markham
13 . Etoile Violette
14 . Filigree
15 . Fireworks
16 . Gravetye Beauty
17 . Henryi
18 . Hyde Hall
19 . Ivan Olsson
20 . Jackmanii
21 . Jacqueline Du Pre
22 . Kermesina
23 . Maidwell Hall
24 . Margo Koster
25 . Moon
26 . Multi Blue
27 . Nelly Moser
28 . capital of Washington
29 . Pamela Jackman
30 . Purpurea Plena Elegans
31 . Rebecca
32 . Rosy O’Grady
33 . Rouge Cardinal
34 . Sarah Elizabeth
35 . abide By Me
36 . Viola
37 . White Swan
Although most clematis change are undesirable for the rigors of Zone 3 and Zone 4 winter , luckily there are frigid hardy specie and cultivars to be establish in all three clematis groups .
Before we start , we will just cover the difference between the pruning groups briefly :
Group 1
grouping 1 provides a good choice of clematissuited to temperature down to Zone 3 .
A subdivision do it as the Atragene group have small - flowered , early blooming diversity that are extremely stalwart , undemanding , and among the loose to grow .
As an tally bonus , you do n’t have to prune them , which make up for light cleaning at the terminal of winter !
The Atragene group admit the speciesClematis alpina , C. koreana , andC. macropetalaand their hybrid .
Native to cragged regions , these plants produce small to medium , nod flowers in bell or lantern shapes that come in ghost of gloomy , mauve , pinkish , purple , ruby-red , white , and icteric .
Many develop openhanded , swirling ejaculate head in shades of blond and silver that add upbeat , previous season interest .
Group 2
Group 2 clematis varieties blossom vigorouslyin spring , and often provide a second , lighter flush of peak throughout the summer .
The two set of flowers produce on old and raw wood respectively .
Theseneed a light pruningin early spring to houseclean up dead wood and transfer any untidy stems , and another light to intermediate pruning in summertime to off pass flower head and promote bud set on the novel growth .
They can underperform passably in very moth-eaten zones because they need warm temperature too soon in the year for two set of flowers to form .
In colder regions , these clematis varieties often bring about only one full peak of flowers take off in early summer .
Flowers face up or outwards and are useable in two - look bicolor cultivars and individual colors of blue , mauve , pink , regal , red , whitened , and chicken .
Group 3
Group 3 clematis are the latest to blossom , and produce a individual flush of flowers with a prospicient season – from former or midsummer to former autumn .
The easiest to prune , Group 3 vines need a undivided , intemperate pruning in previous wintertime .
Stems are write out back to one to two feet , so stem terms from cold temperatures is never a problem , and flowers mould exclusively on new development .
Group 3 include many of the gaudy clematis variety , with extra - heavy bloom that come in an raiment of dazzle colors .
A choice of options with smaller flowers are available in this group as well .
A showy Group 2 clematis cultivar , ‘ bee ’ Jubilee ’ boasts stunning two - tone flowers of creamy pink with a abstruse cerise stripe , and creamy yellow filaments top with rosy anthers .
The large flush measure six to eight column inch across and are followed by silky seed head .
tight growth , its fledged height is six to 13 foot , and it bloom in previous spring and again in belated summer .
Abundantly free florescence , it ’s an impressive dirt bike to use as a ground cover or to impart vertical involvement on arbors , trellises , and climb through pocket-sized tree diagram or shrubs .
Hardy in zone 4 to 11 .
Beautiful Bernadine ™ ( C.‘Evipo061 ’ ) is a thick , floriferous Group 3 clematis with tremendous , frosty mauve bloom highlighted with magenta anthers .
The vines bloom endlessly all summertime long .
Bernadine
The shaggy vine grow to four feet tall and are ideal for adding long - lasting colour climb on small trellises , spilling from container , or scrambling on the ground .
Hardy in Zones 4 to 10 .
plant in one - gal container areavailable at Nature Hills .
‘ Bluebird ’ delights with a heavy video display of nodding , single or semi - double efflorescence in lavender - blue with cream - to - lime - green stamens .
This clematis cultivar flowers to a great extent in bounce , with the occasional second flush in midsummer follow by wispy , silverish seed heads .
A vigorous agriculturalist with a matured height of eight to 10 feet , this Group 1 cultivar excels in extreme inhuman temperatures . It is hardy Zones 2 to 9 .
This is a good choice for wakeful refinement gardens .
‘ Blue Ravine ’ produces full , cornflower to lilac blooms , with purplish pith bars and rosy pink anther .
The large six- to eight - in flush of this Group 2 cultivar have a delightful bouquet . They bloom in late bound through former summer , and again in former summer .
‘ puritanical Ravine ’
‘ Blue Ravine ’ grow up to eight feet tall with a 24 - column inch spread , and a twining use makes it utile as an accent industrial plant in a container , on a trellis , or anywhere it can grow up and through shrub and hedgerow .
‘ Blue Ravine ’ plant can bepurchased at Burpee .
‘ Capitaine Thuilleaux ’ has showy , two - step heyday of wan pink with racy , strawberry snapper bar and crinkly petal edge .
Dark magenta - tipped stamen add a classifiable focal degree to the seven - inch , lightly sweet blooms .
A compendious clematis , maximal maturation at due date is six to nine feet .
This Group 2 cultivar is very floriferous in mid - spring , with a lighter flush in midsummer , and a pleasing show of seed forefront in late summer .
‘ Capitaine Thuilleaux ’ is an ideal choice for containers and cottage or courtyard garden , and it also develop well in partial shade . Hardy in Zones 4 to 11 .
A chef-d’oeuvre in mauve , Cezanne ™ ( C.‘Evipo023 ’ ) features large , showy lavender blooms with creamy chartreuse anthers and a light floral perfume , giving an extravagant presentation in belated spring to other summer with a lighter rebloom in late summer .
Cezanne
This heavyset Group 2 cultivar grows four to five feet foresightful and is idealistic for small spaces , borders , city or courtyard garden , and containers or patio plantation owner . Hardy in geographical zone 4 to 9 .
you could discover Cezanne ™ plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
‘ Comtesse de Bouchaud ’ have masses of pretty four- to six - inch peak of shell pinko to light mauve .
Flowers have butter yellow stamens , and recurve petals give a soft , rounded appearance .
A long bloom timeputs on a gorgeous display start in early summertime .
Hardy in Zones 4 to 9 , this Group 3 clematis develop six to 10 foundation and performs well in containers , as a climbing iron or ground cover , or in diminished spaces like courtyard gardens .
‘ Constance ’ is wondrous free - flowering and drips with nodding , gong - shaped blooms from mid- to late leaping .
Dusty pinkish flowers have semi - double petals that reveal pantry yellow stamens .
After flowering , showy silver seed head lend a charming touch well into autumn .
Hardy in zone 3 to 9 , ‘ Lake Constance ’ is a Group 1 clematis cultivar that grows six to eight feet tall , and makes a spectacular display against an arbour , trellis , or paries .
The ‘ Duchess of Albany ’ has sorcerous , tulip - shaped buds in coral pink .
The small , two- to three - column inch flush recurve as they mature , break cryptical pinkish bands on the inner petals and buttery stamens .
Mature increase is typically up to eight to 12 foot with abundant , stiff reportage from midsummer to fall .
A great pick for a ground cover , climbing on trellis and pergolas , or splatter from container . Hardy in Zones 4 to 8 .
‘ Duchess of Edinburgh ’ is know for its luminous , fully - double flowers of white to blush pink with creamy yellow anthers .
The four- to six - inch flowers form a striking rosette and bloom in tardy springiness , then again in belated summertime .
‘ Duchess of Edinburgh ’ produce six to eight feet tall and is middling vigorous in growth .
This Group 2 clematis cultivar makes an attractive display in container , and on arbors , fence , or any vertical sustenance . Hardy in Zones 4 to 11 .
Featuring gorgeous , velvety flowers of royal purpleness with Battle of Magenta bars and anthers , Edda ™ ( C.‘Evipo074 ’ ) adds a touch of dark dramatic play for the entire summer , with the colors staying unassailable even in hot fair weather .
dasheen
The succinct Group 3 vines have a manageable size of three to four feet tall but make a large shock in city or courtyard gardens , small spaces , container , and patios . Hardy in zona 4 to 9 .
you’re able to come up plant life in one - gallon containersavailable at Nature Hills .
‘ Ernest Markham ’ makes a memorable impression with arresting magenta or red peak , cream filament , and buttery yellow anther .
Wonderfully free flowering , the generous four- to six - inch flowers blossom from midsummer to former fall .
‘ Ernest Markham ’
Growing 10 to 12 understructure tall , this Group 3 clematis cultivar make a fine-looking mounting specimen for metropolis , bungalow , or courtyard gardens . Hardy in geographical zone 4 to 11 .
you could find ‘ Ernest Markham ’ plantsavailable at Burpee .
‘ Etoile Violette ’ is a long - time Group 3 ducky for its clusters of deep purple , recurve heyday with blond stamen .
The four - inch blooms put on a sensory display from mid- to tardy summer .
Hardy in zone 4 to 11 , this vigorous crampon promptly reach 10 to 15 feet in pinnacle .
It ’s a rewarding choice to coach on arbors , fences , or walls , or it may be grown as a ground cover .
finespun and decorative , Filigree ™ ( C.‘Evipo029 ’ ) is a miniature Group 2 cultivar that offer an copiousness of full , silvery mauve heyday with celery and pink anther in late bounce and early summer , with a lighter secondary rush in late summertime .
Filigree
These petite vines develop only one to two foot long but make a great splash in border and small spaces or as a tumbler in hanging baskets , patio planters , and window boxes .
Hardy in Zones 4 to 9 .
With a profusion of eye - catching , bi - coloured flowers , ‘ pyrotechnic ’ is a showstopper .
The ruffled lilac petals have graphic cerise central bars and lily-white filaments topped with magenta anther .
The splashy flowers of this Group 2 clematis cultivar grow seven to eight inches in diam , and bloom in recent spring with a promiscuous flowering in late summertime .
outgrowth is semi - woody , and plants reach eight to 12 feet in height with a spread of three to six feet .
‘ firework ’ adds dramatic colour to good structures , or twining its way through shrubs and small tree . Hardy in zone 4 to 8 .
‘ Gravetye Beauty ’ is known for its typical , narrow petals in rich ruby red ink that assailable into a finespun starburst .
interior petal are crimson with pallid pinkish edges , cream strand , and mulberry anthers .
Hardy in zone 4 to 8 , flowers measure two to three inches with a ripe plant height of eight to 12 foot .
A profuse bloomer from mid- to recent summer , it ’s well suitable to container growth , as a ground cover or spiller , struggle through deciduous Tree and shrub .
This Group 3 clematis cultivar is ideal for training up arches , fences , and walls .
abundantly devoid - flowering , ‘ Henryi ’ has ivory , brush up flowers with pale mauve edges .
Lime green cardinal bars fade as flower maturate , and purple anther add a touchy dividing line .
The single or semi - double blooming mensuration six to eight column inch across and seem in early summer , with casual secondary efflorescence .
‘ Henryi ’
A vigorous grower up to 10 to 12 metrical unit grandiloquent , this Group 2 cultivar makes a adorable specimen espaliered on arbors , trellises , and pergolas .
you’re able to find plain etymon plantsavailable at Burpee .
smart and elegant , Hyde Hall ™ ( C.‘Evipo009 ’ ) frisk tumid , double flowers in creamy livid with chocolate tipped anthers that flower abundantly in late outpouring and former summertime , with a light rebloom of single flowers throughout summer .
Hyde Hall
A big choice as a crampon on a treillage , in container , or sprawling in raised beds as a ground cover , the Group 2 vine grow six to eight foot long . Hardy in Zones 4 to 9 .
‘ Ivan Olsson ’ have stately heyday in pale mauve and white , with pink filaments and purple anther .
Flowering in later bounce with casual peak throughout the summertime , the full bloom grow up to five to six inch .
Hardy in Zones 4 to 9 , this Group 2 cultivar farm seven to nine feet tall and is idealistic in container , on vertical supports , or as a terra firma concealment or spiller .
A classic climbing vine , ‘ Jackmanii ’ features midsized blooms of racy , cryptic purple with creamy yellow anther on vine that flower prolifically from early to late summertime .
‘ Jackmanii ’
Reaching seven to 10 understructure long , the Group 3 vines make a opulent display climbing on arbors , pergolas , and trellises or draping over fence and retaining wall . Hardy in geographical zone 4 to 9 .
barren root plant life areavailable at Burpee .
‘ Jacqueline du Pre ’ blooms in former natural spring with lowly pink to mauve skirted bloom border in pallid pink , with dark veining and a white stamen .
leave are brilliant green and elegant , and silvery seed heads form in summer , adding recent season texture to the garden .
A medium Group 1 climber , fledged growing reach is six to eight feet tall and it is well - suited to arches , containers , fences , and pergolas . Hardy in Zones 3 to 9 .
‘ Kermesina ’ features two - column inch , rich magenta flowers with white basis and recurve tips , which give a rounded show .
petal can have a low-cal inwardness legal profession , and blond filaments have deep wine - colored anther .
This vigorous climber reach eight to 12 feet and puts on a unfluctuating show from midsummer to early fall .
This clematis is deal for mount up an obelisk or trellis and scramble through bush and trees . Hardy in Zones 4 to 8 .
‘ Maidwell Hall ’ is renowned for its profuse showing of frilly , semi - double flowers in lavender - blue with pea green stamens .
This Group 1 cultivar continues to flower lightly throughout the summertime , and decorative seminal fluid head grace vines in late summer .
stocky growth is six to eight feet tall and it is ideal for grow up and over fences , rock music piles , or ambo , and scramble through little shrubs and Tree . Hardy in Zones 3 to 9 .
‘ Margo Koster ’ is very popular for its longsighted time of year of maverick , coral pinkish flowers with paler center bar and buttery yellow stamens .
The three - column inch flowers are small but plentiful , and flower from tardy fountain to fall .
Hardy in Zones 3 to 9 , it grows 10 to 12 foot high and is well suitable for vertical increase in cottage or courtyard gardens , or sprawling as a ground cover .
‘ Moonlight ’ features full , symmetrical , cream - colored flowers that fade to pearly white with pallid yellow stamen .
The highly fragrant , single flowers measure five to seven column inch . They bloom in late spring and again in late summer .
Hardy in Zones 4 to 9 , this Group 2 clematis grows eight to 10 foot and prefers a fond sunshine or dappled shade localization .
This is a honeyed choice for patio containers or for mount up trellises close to windows or paths where the scent can be enjoyed .
‘ Multi Blue ’ features an abundance of spectacular double flowers in shades of deep blue to purple with pale center bar .
silvern gloomy staminodes form a spectacular pincushion on the recurve flower petal , and they flower in belated spring .
A compact Group 2 variety , mature plant reach six to eight feet tall and flowers measure up to five inches across .
‘ Multi dingy ’
‘ Multi Blue ’ appreciates some light afternoon shadowiness in locations with hot summers and is idealistic for container , pocket-sized gardens , or climbing on a upright support . Hardy in zone 4 to 11 .
you may find ‘ Multi dark ’ plantsavailable from Hirt ’s Gardens via Walmart .
‘ Nelly Moser ’ is famous for its profuse display of bicolor , starburst flowers measuring six to eight column inch across .
Petals have white or pale pink ruffled bound with cerise center bars , and creamy filaments are topped with rosy anthers . Ornamental wooly seed capitulum form in summertime .
Expect flush in later spring , with a lighter flush in midsummer .
This Group 2 clematis rise eight to 10 foot and make a gorgeous specimen plant climbing on pergola , trellises , or lamp Emily Price Post . Hardy in zone 4 to 9 .
‘ Nelly Moser ’ engraft areavailable at Home Depot .
A beautiful choice that ’s sure to please the garden gods , Olympia ™ ( C.‘Evipo099’)offers large , unmarried to duplicate lavender flowers with creamy white anthers that blossom from May through to September , with the weighty flush in late spring and other summer .
capital of Washington
grow three to five feet marvellous , the luxurious Group 2 vine are impressive in containers , small distance , and city or courtyard garden , or as a meandering earth cover .
you may find ‘ capital of Washington ’ plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
A vigorous Group 1 climber , ‘ Pamela Jackman ’ forms wad of bell - shaped , recondite blue to royal flowers with striking whitened stamen in mid- to late spring .
Lime light-green leaves add a handsome dividing line , and cosmetic argent seed head take form in summer .
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9 , this pretty cultivar grow nine to 12 feet and looks sumptuous sprawling over pergola , fences , and pergolas .
‘ Purpurea Plena Elegans ’ has typical , fluffy double flowers of dusty pink with pale garden pink , pommy - pom staminodes .
The elegant flowers measure two to three inches with a foresighted bloom season from midsummer to fall .
Growing 10 to 13 foot magniloquent , the sumptuous display is well suitable for climbing , containers , or as a ground covering . Hardy in geographical zone 4 to 11 .
A summer sizzler with torrid scarlet blooms adorned with pink - tipped , creamy yellow anthers , ‘ Rebecca ’ blooms profusely in late spring and early summertime with a lighter , second bloom in tardy summertime .
‘ Rebekah ’
The Group 2 vines produce six to eight foot long and make an telling seasonal silver screen when massed as a climber on trellises or as an eye - bewitch focal point scramble along arbors , fencing , pergolas , and wall .
flora in # 1 container areavailable at Nature Hills .
‘ blushful O’Grady ’ boast narrow petals of rose pink with dark veining and rippled edges , and a skirt of light pinkish staminodes gird the pale scandalmongering stamens .
Bloom time is in late spring , and showy germ capitulum follow in summer .
At maturity it reaches nine to 12 feet tall , with a twining and trailing growth habit that adds leisurely charm to arbors and container , or as a ground cover plant .
This Group 1 cultivar is intrepid in Zones 3 to 9 .
‘ Rouge Cardinal ’ feature large , sporty flowers of cardinal red with Au filaments and mahogany anther .
recurvate petal bakshish give a rounded appearance to the four- to six - inch blooms .
Hardy in zona 3 to 8 , this semi - arboraceous Group 3 crampon grow up to 10 feet and produces a plenteous presentation of peak from former summertime to fall .
‘ Rouge Cardinal ’
Spectacular in containers , as a spiller , on upright supports , or growing through small deciduous trees and shrub .
Pick up four - in pots of ‘ Rouge Cardinal’from Home Depot .
spare flowering in a thick size , Sarah Elizabeth ™ ( C.‘Evipo098 ’ ) skylark an copiousness of star - determine , candy pink flowers with vivacious magenta anther .
Growing four to five feet tall , these Group 3 vines flower steadily from late spring to former fall .
Sarah Elizabeth
Sarah Elizabeth make a colourful choice for climb up arbor , treillage , and fences or spilling from containers and patio planters .
A bush style , non - vining cultivar , ‘ Stand By Me ’ produces masses of nodding , ship’s bell - shaped flowers of lilac blue in belated spring and early summertime .
‘ support By Me ’
plant rise three to four feet grandiloquent and do n’t ask trellis , but make an impressive addition to beds , borders , containers , and patio planters . This Group 3 flora is hardy in zone 3 to 7 .
plant in one - gallon containers can bepurchased at Nature Hills .
‘ Viola ’ features declamatory , purplish petals that open to reveal royal purpleness , velvety efflorescence .
Greenish - snowy filaments with lily-livered anthers tot striking contrast to the four- to six - in efflorescence that bloom from midsummer to fall .
tight development , this Group 3 smorgasbord pass 10 to 12 feet grandiloquent and is hardy in Zones 4 to 9 . Train on perpendicular supports to add previous summertime color amongst other climbers , like roses .
‘ White Swan ’ puts on a reliable display of dainty , Melville Bell - shaped flower from late spring to former summer .
Semi - duple petals of vestal Andrew D. White and with buttery yellow stamens stand out against the foliage , and muzzy seminal fluid school principal add recent season pastime .
Hardy in zone 3 to 9 , this versatile Group 1 climber reach 10 to 12 feet tall and can begrown in containers , as a reason cover , orscrambling up any vertical support .
The Big Chill
Now that you sleep together about the perfect varieties of clematis for Zone 3 and Zone 4 , will you plant some of these cold-blooded stalwart specimens in your garden ?
Beautiful , tough , and well-fixed to worry for , they ’re the arrant solution for gardens that struggle with perennials in sub - zero temperatures !
And be certain toread our other clematis guidesto get the most from these remarkable , dependable vine . add together these to your recitation list next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right wing RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . earlier published December 7 , 2019 . Last update April 28 , 2025 . Product photos via Burpee , Home Depot , Nature Hills Nursery , and Walmart . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Lorna Kring
