Check the spelling (Viennetta) or search under the cultivar name (Evipo006). Brushwood carries it but is currently out of stock.

If you still cannot locate, consider C. florida 'Sieboldii' as this was one of the parent species and looks very similar.

Both are slightly tender selections (zone 7) and are best in a protected or sheltered location.

Thanks! I must have spelled it correctly on hmf but all the vendors listed were outside the US. I have read that C. florida Sieboldii is a difficult one to grow. I wonder if that's true for Viennetta.

That's beautiful, Frozebudd! You are so much further north than me, I think it might do ok here in zone 7, NC. I am on the waiting list at Brushwood for it. To me it looks prettier than florida Sieboldii.

I would agree, 'Viennetta' is somewhat a more attractive flower. Your mild NC climate should suit it well. I have read on UK forums of folks losing them due to winter wet, so something I would guard against no matter the climate. C. florida types are a bit more of a prima donna, though not difficult to grow and flourishing where needs are met.

Unfortunately Dan Long at Brushwood told me there are no plans to sell Viennetta anytime soon. He says it is finicky in many parts of the country. So I am not on a waiting list after all. Now it has become one of those things you want but can't have. Might settle for florida Seiboldii if I can find that.

Believe it or not, I found my Sieboldii at Costco! A packaged bare root deal I shared with my sister - 4 starts of two different kinds....2 Ramona and 2 Sieboldii (odd combo!!) However, my Sieboldii was not!! When she moved from her house to a condo, I dug up her Sieboldii, which did prove true to name, and have been growing it ever since.

It is by far the most picky clematis I have tried to grow. This is attempt #3 and so far, so good. I have it in a container and it is now going into its 5th season. But it also does not seem to be widely available, either.

OTOH, Ramona grew like a weed!!

You lucked out. I read somewhere that another person found one of these at Home Depot. I'll be keeping my eye more closely on what's offered at the big stores. Seems like you're in an ideal climate for clems, gardengal, and you certainly have the experience with them so if it's challenging for you I guess that's saying something. But I'm ready to be surprised if I do get a hold of a plant. Have you tried any seeds from yours? Seems like it could be worthwhile to cross it with a stronger grower.

My issue seems to have been getting them to establish in the first place. Which is why I was surprised that bare root starts - my least preferred method of acquiring and growing on clematis - did so well! I was ready to believe the comments from recognized clematis authorities that this was a tender species that required some protection so attributed my lack of prior success to that....until I read reports of those who were able to grow them successfully in much colder climates than mine! And I loved the coloring of Sieboldii and was determined to have one so just kept trying.

Once it gets going, it is a quite robust vine and blooms very heavily. To be honest, I have no inclination nor the patience to deal with seeds or attempts to hybridize.....I leave that to the breeders like Evison. Or to hobbyists much more ambition than I :-)

I went to Dave's Garden yesterday and searched for florida Sieboldii and it showed Longwood Gardens as carrying it. So I ordered two for later spring delivery. Glad to have found it. I noticed they sell it together with Ramona so I suspected that this might be the same company who supplied Costco with the plants you bought. Then in reading reviews some people mentioned buying Longwood's plants at Costco. Glad to hear your plant is doing well .

erasmus... if you're still looking in here, just to let you know that on the Antique roses forum I know that Lisa Adams in California has this clematis, and it does well for her but I wouldn't know where she got it from.. I wonder if it might be worth doing an o/t topic there on it..?

I'm sure they won't mind..

I grow it here, I find it very easy, it grows and flowers quite early, ascending to about 6 foot. I cut it down like a group 3 each year..

Hope you find it, I think it's really nice.. no idea how hardy it is though..

Marlorena, yes, it sure is a uniquely beautiful clematis if there ever was one! I had no expectation of it surviving my awful long cold winters. Though, being planted next to foundation, the roots are kept snug and warm and completely frost free in the deep and well drained soil. Disappointed in having lost it during foundation work and again looking to obtain the plant.

Marlorena,

I'm glad to hear it does so well for you, and that Lisa Adams grows it...I think she gets some pretty hot weather, doesn't she? I was able to buy a couple of plants of it from Longwood Gardens in New Jersey. I think they sell bare root plants, which would be like the bagged ones I've bought at Walmart. I had good luck with those though they are a little more challenging and take longer to get big. I still have some of those in gallon pots . Maybe Longwood ships to Canada, FrozeBudd. I have been impressed with how promptly their customer service person answers questions and seems to care about customers. I was impressed with Brushwood replying to emails and also Monrovia, who used to offer it. It hadn't occurred to me to check with Dave's Garden about suppliers of certain plants but it is eye opening that I found the plant through them, as it was not listed on hmf.

Funny...I was researching the Sieboldii b/c I just bought it bare root at Costco, too...and found this thread. Mine came in a pack of 2 Sieboldii and 2 Jackmanni. I hope I can grow it! Maybe the mulch will help?

The $12.50 bags at Costco are from Longwood, as many suspected.

My suggestion with bare root starts - and especially with Sieboldii, as it seems harder to get established than most - is to pot them up in a gallon nursery container and grow them on for a season before planting in the ground. My intent is to get a root system well enough developed before leaving the vines to their own devices so I shoot for the roots to fill the 1G container before planting out. If you receive the vines early this spring, they should be good to go by fall. Or hold them over and plant early next spring if you have initial concerns about untested hardiness.

How funny to read this thread and find my name mentioned! You’re correct, Marlorena. I do grow it. What a great memory! I’m not sure if I purchased mine from Donahue’s or Brushwood, but it was one or the other. I don’t find it any more difficult than any other clematis to grow. The only odd thing is that both of mine do most of their blooming during the winter. I wonder if it’s too warm for its liking here during the summer. It’s the only clematis I grow that blooms during the winter. I do love it! Lisa

Lisa... that's as pretty as a picture... I knew you had it because I only got mine after seeing yours .. ha !..

I've been potting up any small clematis I've bought which is most of them, and growing them on awhile. Because I imagine my soil might be challenging for clematis I think they need a little more momentum before planting in the ground. Some parts of my yard have rich, moist soil and some parts have soil that is good for roses and a lot of things but it drains fast. I have added lots of compost to it over the years, or manure, but it still drains fast. At least it's easy to dig.

That's interesting that your clematis blooms in winter, Lisa. Does it get pretty hot in summer where you are?

I've killed Sieboldii at least three times. Failed to thrive. The purple one too, Cassis? Tried in pots, ground and greenhouse.

Lisa, do your hard prune yours, would that not encourage spring / summer blooming, or is it just too hot there?

Not sure why C. florida and its derivatives have such a reputation for being "futsy" and not as winter hardy as others. But darn near every publication you read on clematis will state the same!! It is reassuring to see gardeners in much colder areas than mine are having success :-)

Even Evison remarks about Sieboldii: "if only it were a stronger growing and more garden hardy plant, more people could enjoy its unusual flower colouring. I suggest growing it in a container. In cold climates, the container should be protected indoors over winter. However as a conservatory plant it is very successful."

And about Viennetta: "The most popular Evison and Poulson indoor flowering clematis to date." Indoor?? And then he goes on to make the same planting recommendations as he does for Sieboldii.

The only explanation I would have for this vine flowering in winter is that it is being grown indoors, which should extend the bloom season (or encourage it to start earlier). Otherwise, the described bloom time is from early summer through to fall. And it is a type 3 pruning group, as are all of the Florida group.

Just an aside but while rummaging through my Evison book, I rediscovered the fact that it is a signed copy!! I attended a clematis seminar at a local nursery in 2008 where he was the featured speaker. And IIRC, that was the second or third of my failed Sieboldii attempts. I may have finally got it right......my current vine - in a container - is sprouting new growth!!

I'm going to start mine in a container and probably pot it up for a couple of years. I hadn't thought of clematis as indoor plants but it could be interesting to see if they'd live indoors here. I don't think the light is very good in my house.

Some of these Evison clematis from the Garland range are sold here as both indoor/outdoor plants... I've bought two in the past.. 'Corinne' and 'Tekla'... when seen in garden centres they are a sight to behold as they are trained in a wreath/garland shape and in full flower... I can't remember exactly but they may be sold before Christmas... they are to be grown indoors for 6 weeks or so where they will flower profusely, then they are planted out in the garden, where they will rebloom later in the season..

I never found them to be great garden clematis, so no longer have them...

I’m just seeing this thread again. Sorry about that. It does get fairly warm here during the summer and fall. It’s usually in the high 80’s- mid 90’s, with some days over 100F. It’s also extremely dry. I get an average of about 8-15? mornings per year of frost on the lawn. Most of the winter it’s between 67-76F during the day, with the odd heatwave of 80-90F. Today and tomorrow we have wind gusts of up to 40mph, temps near 80F, and the humidity is 17%. Mine both seem to bloom during periods of nice, mild temps.

As for pruning, I cut them both back hard in the late winter. The leaf buds are just beginning to emerge on all my clematis, F.S. included. Both of mine grow during the spring, summer, and fall, and then bloom during the winter. I have no idea why that is, unless mine wait for winter rain and mild temps. My roses often bloom year round, many only pausing due to pruning. I enjoy having the clematis blooms at such an unexpected time of year. It’s only been 3 years or so for both of them, so perhaps their blooming patterns will change. I planted both of mine directly into the ground, and I’ve certainly have never tried them indoors. I don’t have any problems growing Clematis Florida, although neither of mine are quite as vigorous as some other clematis I grow. I wish I remembered where mine came from. Brushwood sends an enormous “cinder block” of roots, while Donahue’s sends VERY tiny pots. I imagine there’s a big difference in starting maturity, depending on which company I ordered mine from. I’m going to search my emails. I normally don’t delete plant receipts for reasons like this one. Lisa

It never occurred to me to grow clematis in a wreath shape but I like the idea.

It is very interesting to hear more about your climate, Lisa. You grow so many lovely plants and they apparently reseed for you. I picture your soil and climate as very hospitable , as in moist and not too hot. Isn't Baby Blue Eyes a cool weather plant? Yet it does well for you.

I have ordered from Donahue's, Silver Star Vinery, and an ebay guy named dogwooderitternet. Also have bought tiny bare roots from Walmart. I think all these grew fine. Some are still in pots. This year I've ordered six from Brushwood, and am glad to hear the plants are big.

You’re welcome, Linda. I did some investigating yesterday, and was able to find that I purchased one Clematis Viennetta (front yard) from Brushwood. It looks to me like the other one is C. Florida Seboldii from Donahue’s(back yard.) The winter blooming is especially interesting to me, now that I know they are different in maturity, variety, and source.

It’s only moist here if we get good winter rains. My Baby Blue Eyes reseed each year, but they are done and gone to seed by May or so. Many of these cool weather annuals bloom during the winter, and are gone by the time late spring comes around. Lisa

Thanks Lisa for detailing of your climate, I guess the plant just prefers your cooler and more moderate winter temperatures over the heat of summer. Whereas here, summers are seldom hot and moisture usually in decent abundance, this being a region of grain and oil seed production. I have yet to push the button and send off my order for C. Florida Seboldii and others, I should get with it! Oh, too bad I have so many photo stuck on a malfunctioning laptop, there's pics of 'Viennetta' hanging in masses of blooms, really surprised I could obtain such in this climate.

It's nice to know more about your climate, Lisa. Your " winter" sounds like it's ideal for growing things that just like it cool. I should try some cool season plants just to see how they do. Guess I'd have to start them early. Sometimes we have a long, cool spring March through most of May, and sometimes it gets hot quickly. I've had no luck with sweet peas here , for example.

Your climate sounds nice in summer, Frozebud. I'd think clematis would like it. I have gone clematis crazy though I don't know yet how well I'll be able to grow them. Some I bought in 2018 did well last year. I tend to want to buy a bunch of them rather than wait and see because I know they take time to come into their own.

Can I be nosy and ask where Lisa lives? I just have a very hard time understanding how a climate anywhere in the northern hemisphere would encourage a clematis to bloom so far out of season. I have never heard of that before.

I think Lisa is near San Diego but I could be wrong. Seems like if a clematis was stressed from summer heat it might respond to cooler, moister weather with a bloom. Lisa, is C. florida Sieboldii the only clem you have that blooms in winter?

I was just looking at Joy Creek's website and came across several cirrhosa clematis. I noticed in the descriptions of each one it said they are winter blooming. Here is one description:

" 150-345-1 Clematis cirrhosa 'Wisley Cream'
Sun Zones 7, 8, 9 Creamy White flowers
Although Clematis cirrhosa 'Wisley Cream' does not have large showy flowers, it serves two very important purposes in the gardens of clematis lovers. First, it is evergreen and so offers year-round coverage on fences and trellises. Second, it blooms at a difficult time of year. On winter days, it is always heart-warming to find the lovely white bell-shaped flowers dangling in the glossy, bronze tinted foliage. 'Wisley Cream' often begins its show in late October and continues on until early March which means that a real clematis junkie could have a plant in bloom every month of the year. This is a selection made by Raymond Evison. "

I wonder if it would bloom in winter in my climate, zone 7, NC.

Winter flowering clematis are quite popular over here... I used to grow one called Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica.. like Wisley Cream, there are now several of this type available... they go summer dormant and look all brown and dried up at that time, which doesn't do much for appearances when everything else is lush... that's what put me off them...

...one of the nicest I think is this one 'Jean Cumpston'..

Jean Cumpston clem on the web

...I think it's a bit of a stretch to call them evergreen when they do go brown at mid summer..

Hmmm, I've grown C. cirrhosa before....in fact, it threatened to eat the deck at my former residence :-) Mine never went dormant or brown in summer and was fully evergreen year round. And yes, there are indeed winter flowering clems but C. florida 'Siebodlii' or its derivatives like Viennetta are not among them!

I got my two plants or bare roots of florida Sieboldii in the mail from Longwood Gardens. The roots look good for the size, which is about like a peat pellet or slightly smaller. There is a little nub on one with a tiny bit of green. The other, I don't see it. But I potted them up in gallon pots and have hopes for them. During the whole process the Longwood nursery was very communicative and caring.

Good luck with them!!

Although all my other clematis are budded out to varying degrees, some already producing flower buds, I see minimal signs of life on my florida 'Sieboldii' :-( We had a mild winter so hope it is just a late starter.

I planted florida Sieboldii in 2014, next to Henri. Not realizing how difficult it could be. I think I have had one season of beautiful flowers, and then the next year it freezes and doesn't comes back. This year it has returned with wonderful growth. But we are expecting 30 degrees and snow tomorrow. so I doubt I will see blooms. I don't know why I have not just replaced it with something less difficult to grow. I do love a challenge.

I've killed Vienetta, twice. I had a florida sieboldii that lived and bloomed for 3 years, never to return. I had a florida 'pistachio' that returned for 6 years blooming most years.

I've been looking for another Vienetta for a few years and it isn't easy to source. My local nursery orders Evison clematis all the time. Each year they tell me they can get whatever I want, take a deposit and then have to call and refund the deposit when they can't get it...

I just a got a new one that is a C. florida derivative at, of all places, the grocery store!

Clematis 'Taiga'

It's a big, healthy vine in a 1G pot so we'll see how well it does.

And my florida 'Sieboldii' is now putting out all sorts of new growth!! It's amazing what a couple of weeks of sun and balmy temps will do to stimulate growth:-))

That Taiga picture is interesting. I had one on order from Donahue's and substituted Guernsey Cream instead. Was thinking Taigi was just an oddity. But now I see why I had ordered it in the first place.

I told Longwood that one of the florida Sieboldii plants was not leafing out but that I wanted to give it more time.

I have a Durandii plant in the ground that looked good in a gallon pot, then sat there in a sort of shady spot in the ground last year, and this spring it is absent. So I ordered a new one. Maybe the old one will wake up. I have an old clem that disappeared for years but is back again in weak form. Guess I could dig it up, pot it up, and hope to get it more robust.