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Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

Ranunculaceae

Garden origin, raised in France in 1897

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Clematis 'Nelly Moser' is a deciduous climber reaching 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall and 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) wide, climbing by twining leaf stalks that grip supports under 0.4 inch (10 mm) thick. Flowers measure 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) across, larger than the 4-5 inch (10-13 cm) flowers of Clematis 'Jackmanii', and carry eight overlapping tepals that are pale mauve-pink with a deep carmine-pink bar running the length of each. Anthers are red-brown on white filaments. The carmine bar fades toward white within 7-10 days in full sun, while flowers on north and east aspects hold the bar for 3-4 weeks. Flowering runs from late May into June on stems made the previous year, followed by a lighter flush in August and September on the current season growth. Leaves are opposite and divided into three leaflets 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. Stems are woody at the base and green above, and the lower 3 feet (90 cm) go bare as the plant ages. Raised in France in 1897, the cultivar is susceptible to clematis wilt caused by Calophoma clematidina, which collapses whole stems within two to three days.

Native Range

Clematis 'Nelly Moser' is of garden origin, raised by Moser et Fils at Versailles in France and introduced in 1897. It has no wild distribution. Its parentage traces to large-flowered Asian species including C. patens and C. lanuginosa, both native to China and Japan.

Suggested Uses

Grown on north and east-facing walls, fences, and obelisks in zones 4-9, where flowers hold the carmine bar 3-4 weeks against 7-10 days in full sun. Trained through open shrubs and small trees at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing with the base shaded by low planting. Container culture uses pots of 15 gallons (57 L) or larger with a 6 foot (1.8 m) support, where plants reach 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m). All parts irritate skin on contact and cause mouth and stomach irritation if eaten.

How to Identify

Flowers are 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) across with eight broad, overlapping, pointed tepals in pale mauve-pink, each carrying a carmine-pink bar down the centre from base to tip. Anthers are red-brown, which separates the cultivar from Clematis 'Bees Jubilee', whose flowers are deeper pink with darker bars and yellow anthers, and from Clematis 'Doctor Ruppel', whose tepals are rose-pink throughout. Flowers face outward and slightly upward on stalks 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long. Leaves are divided into three leaflets 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, with the stalks curling around supports.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

The main flush opens from late May into June in zones 5-8 and from early May in zone 9, on stems formed the previous season. A second, lighter flush follows in August and September on the current season growth, carrying flowers 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across rather than the 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) of the first flush. An individual flower lasts 10-16 days. Hard pruning in late winter removes the wood that carries the first flush and leaves only the August flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale mauve-pink with a carmine-pink central bar

Foliage Description

mid green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years to full height

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants are set with the crown 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) below soil level, which allows regrowth from underground buds where stems collapse from clematis wilt. The root zone stays cool and evenly moist under 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of mulch or low planting while the stems reach light. Plants take 1-1.5 inches (25-38 mm) of water weekly through the growing season, and flower size drops 20-30% in dry soil. A balanced feed goes on in March and again after the first flush, since high-nitrogen feed produces leaf growth in place of buds. Clematis wilt caused by Calophoma clematidina collapses individual stems within 2-3 days, and affected stems are cut to ground level while the remaining crown regrows. Earwigs and slugs damage the opening buds in May, and powdery mildew appears on the late flush in humid summers.

Pruning

Pruning falls in Group 2: stems are cut back in late February or early March to a pair of strong buds 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) below the tip, retaining the framework that carries the first flush. Dead and damaged stems come out at ground level at the same time. After the first flush fades in late June, stems are cut back by one third, which prompts the August flowering. Plants cut hard to 12 inches (30 cm) in late winter flower only in August and September of that year and rebuild a full framework over two seasons.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer