Clematis chiisanensis 'Lemon Bells'

Over the past two years, the Arboretum has added over 25 new clematis to our collection. These queens of climbers can most often be seen growing up mailboxes and lamp posts. Some of the more fascinating additions to the Arboretum collections are of the small-flowered species and cultivars instead of the large-flowered cultivars often seen in residential gardens.

A charming clematis blooming right now at the Arboretum is Clematis chiisanensis ‘Lemon Bells’, a selection from Botanical Garden at the University of British Columbia. This small-flowered cultivar has a unique attractive lemon-colored bloom. As compared to the large-flowered forms, these small flowers nod downward with tepals dramatically relaxing upward as they open to pollinators. It reminds me of many bells hanging off of a vine, as implied by the cultivar name.

These eye-catching blooms are accented by the long dramatic purple petioles and stems. As described by Jeff Jabco, our coordinator of horticulture, the mixture of colors on this plant provides a great opportunity for creating striking plant combinations in the garden.

‘Lemon Bells’ blooms during May and June on old wood. Thus it falls into clematis pruning group 1, meaning pruning is generally not needed unless it’s needed to keep the plant in its space. In that case, prune just after its first flush of flowers.

Like most clematis, ‘Lemon Bells’ grows well in partial shade to full sun but needs a cool root area. It can be trained to grow on a trellis, fence, arbor, or over a large shrub.

The Scott Arboretum’s specimen is being trained to grow over Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ next to the McCabe Library. Simply sit in the bench along the Rose Garden Circle outside of McCabe Library to be delighted by the arresting lemon “bells.” It is also a featured plant of the week at the Scott Arboretum offices. Stop by and print out a staff created tour of some of our other fabulous clematis from our Visitors Quickfinder Kiosk.