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Clematis × 'Rebecca'

rebecca clematis

Ranunculaceae

Garden hybrid bred by Raymond Evison, Guernsey

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Clematis spp. × 'Rebecca' is a large-flowered hybrid clematis bred by Raymond Evison that climbs 72-96 inches (180-240 cm) tall and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide. Flat, open flowers 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) across carry six vivid red to velvet-red tepals around dark red stamens, opening from May through September on both old and new wood. The red is saturated and true, brighter and less purple than 'Niobe' and less magenta than 'Ernest Markham'. The color holds without much fading in partial shade, though aging flowers may lighten toward rose-red in full hot sun. Bloom runs near-continuously for 14 weeks or more, longer than most Group 2 clematis because the plant flowers on both wood types. Dark green compound leaves clothe the vine on twining leaf stalks. This is a Group 2, light-prune clematis: dead and weak stems are removed in late winter and the rest cut back to strong buds. Wilt resistance is moderate. It was introduced by Evison in the early 2000s and named for the wife of a clematis grower. All parts contain protoanemonin and are toxic if eaten.

Native Range

Clematis spp. × 'Rebecca' is a garden hybrid bred by Raymond Evison in Guernsey, Channel Islands.

Suggested Uses

Trained on trellises, arbors, and fences, where the vivid red draws the eye, and grown in containers of 10 gallons (38 L) or more. The true red suits red-themed plantings and pairs with white or blue clematis on a shared structure for a tricolor effect. All parts are toxic if eaten.

How to Identify

Flat, open flowers 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) across with vivid red to velvet-red tepals and dark red stamens. The true red, free of purple or magenta, is the key mark, brighter than the ruby-wine 'Niobe' and less magenta than 'Ernest Markham'. Bloom is near-continuous from May through September, with a Group 2 pruning habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 8'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowering begins in May and runs through September, 14 weeks or more, on both old and new wood for near-continuous bloom. The red shows strongest on the early flowers borne on old wood. Bees visit the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Vivid red to velvet-red, flat, 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) across, with six tepals and dark red stamens

Foliage Description

Dark green, compound, with twining leaf stalks

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-8 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

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to partial shade with at least 5 hours of light. Mulch or shade the root zone. Set in well-drained, humus-rich soil. As a Group 2 clematis, remove dead and weak stems in late winter and cut the rest to strong buds; a hard cut delays the start of bloom. The twining leaf stalks need a trellis or support. Water regularly and feed lightly in spring.

Pruning

Group 2, light prune: in late February and March, remove dead and weak stems and cut the rest to strong buds, keeping the old wood for the spring bloom. A Group 3 hard cut is tolerated but pushes the start of bloom later.

Pruning Schedule

early spring