Propertius Clematis Plants

About Clematis macropetala Propertius:

Propertius flowers early summer with cool, elegant and original double flowers in pink and cream. This clematis will bring something really special to your garden in April and May.

Originating from a wild Korean clematis, raised in Sweden and named after a Latin poet, its eclectic background adds to the interest of this unusual clematis. Free-flowering and showy, it is hardy and easy to grow, and will provide delightful seed heads for the remainder of the summer after flowering.

Browse our other Clematis varieties here.

Great for your garden:

Clematis macropetala 'Propertius' will be happiest in alkaline or neutral soil. It will do well in full sun or partial shade in any aspect, and would look fabulous up a wall, or along a trellis. You could grow over a garden gateway, post or arch to make the most of the fragrance as you walk by. This Clematis does very well in its natural habit growing through hedges or trees and flowers profusely. It is vigorous and hardy - a fantastic plant for any garden!

Clematis macropetala 'Propertius' characteristics:

• Flower colour: Cream and pink
• Flower shape: Double, with deciduous leaves
• Repeating: No
• Approximate flowering season: April to May
• Final height and spread: 3m x 1m
• Pruning group: 1

Look out for:

Clematis slime flux. Its an uncommon bacterial infection but can be fatal. It happens when the plant has an injury and bacteria infect the wound. Signs include wilting and yellowing of the leaves, as well as the unpleasant slime in the stems where the plant is affected.

Earwigs, aphids, and fungal infections can also affect Clematis

Trivia:

This clematis was raised in Sweden by Magnus Johnson, a man widely recognized as the 'Grand Master' of clematis. Johnson put his 60+ years of experience into what must be the ultimate book on the subject, 'The Genus Clematis'. He also painted and many of his gouaches are featured in the book. The study of Clematis must have been very good for him - he was 95 (and much decorated) when he died in 2002.

This was one of 20 cultivars Johnson named after Latin poets. Propertius, a Roman, is best known for his book describing Cynthia, a beautiful older woman presented as the poet's lover and creative muse. Their relationship, as portrayed in a series of books of poetry, would be described as "Complicated" in modern media.  

"Thy love has buried all others, nor has any woman after thee 
put sweet fetters upon my neck." Propertius, 23BC 

Images supplied by Clematis on the Web.

How to grow Clematis macropetala 'Propertius':

Clematis macropetala 'Propertius' can be grown easily following the Clematis planting notes.

Pruning is not essential, but a trim of the dead and damaged stems will keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth.

Although it likes full sun, do ensure the base and roots are shaded and kept cool with a mulch, other plants or pebbles.