Can Clematis Grow in Shade?

Clematis vines bear white, pink, violet, purple or red flowers from spring to fall, depending on the species or hybrid cultivar. Plants grow best when basking in full sun to partial shade in the garden. Tolerance of shade varies among clematis vines, but too much shade inhibits flowering in the vast majority of plants. Avoid sites where less than four hours of direct sunlight reach a clematis daily from spring to fall.

A long standing proverb for growing clematis in the garden is, "They love their feet in the shade but their faces in the sun." Clematis plants prosper when their roots and soil remain evenly moist and cool, while the upper leaves and flower bask in warmth and sunlight. Hot, dry soils kill clematis plants. Inadequate sunlight leads to slower growth, fewer leaves and a reduction or absence of their large flowers. Some varieties, however, do not need direct sun to bloom; very bright, indirect light may provide enough light energy to encourage flowering.

The appropriate level of shade for any clematis is partial shade, not dense shade. Ideally, grow plants where they receive one to three hours of direct sun early in the morning or before sunset. Among the most shade-tolerant of clematis include the sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) and alpine clematis (C. alpina). Hybrid cultivars Nelly Moser, Alabast, Multi-Blue, Silver Moon and Sugar Candy also fair well without lots of sunlight.

The same clematis species or cultivar may respond differently to similar shady conditions depending on latitude. In the southern U.S., light intensity and temperatures are much greater in the summer than in states near the Canadian border. While partial shade in Alabama or the canyons of Southern California keeps a clematis looking good and flowering perfectly, partial shade in a cooler summer area of Minnesota may not be adequate. Contact your local botanical garden or cooperative extension office for recommendations of clematis varieties known to perform well in shadier garden conditions in your region.

Clematis species originated in woodland glades and edges where some shade occurs but light isn't limited. Four to six hours of sunlight daily keeps clematis vibrant and healthy. Early-flowering clematis types -- those that bloom from late winter into early spring -- may perform better in shady garden settings. If shade trees lack leaves when these clematis plants bloom, more light reaches the vines to sustain flowering. As flowering ends and overhead trees leaf out, clematis foliage still may photosynthesize very bright indirect or dappled light and survive.