Clematis Viticella Etoile Violette

Clematis Viticella 'Etoile Violette' or Clematis Etoile Violette (Purple Star), is a late-flowering hardy climber with a profusion of violet blooms all summer long. Introduced in France in the early 20th century, this variety has stood the test of time due to its vigour, resilience, and exceptional floral display. It belongs to the Viticella Group of clematis, renowned for their robustness and resistance to clematis wilt—a trait that makes Etoile Violette particularly easy to grow being low-maintenance and dependable in a range of more exposed garden settings.

The foliage of Etoile Violette is light to mid-green, with pinnate leaves made up of several ovate leaflets that give the plant a soft, slightly airy appearance, providing a cool backdrop to the show-stopping abundant floral display. From July through to September, Etoile Violette produces a cascade of deep purple blooms, each approximately 7–10 cm across. The flowers are single, with four to six slightly pointed sepals and striking creamy-yellow stamens at their centre, creating a vivid contrast. The colour is particularly rich and velvety and it holds well in sunlight without fading.

The Viticella Group of Clematis or "small-flowered" clematis are deciduous climbers known for their vigour, low maintenance nature and abundance of flowers. While the flowers are smaller than say Clematis Patens Rouge Cardinal, the Viticella Clematis make up for this with their vigorous growth habit, profusion of blooms, higher wind tolerance and resistance to wilt. The original Clematis Viticella is native to southern Europe. 

How Hardy is Clematis Viticella Etoile Violette?
This clematis is fully hardy across the UK withstanding winter temperatures down to -20°C. It copes well with exposed sites and is particularly wind-tolerant, making it a better choice for a range of more exposed garden conditions such as windy or coastal gardens. 

Eventual Height and Width of Clematis Viticella Etoile Violette
At full maturity, Etoile Violette can reach a height of 3 to 4 metres, with a spread of around 1.5 to 2 metres. It climbs using twining leaf stems and is ideal for training over trellises, pergolas, fences, or even natural supports like trees and large shrubs.

Uses in the Garden and / or Landscape
Clematis Viticella Etoile Violette is a showy yet vigorous climbing plant. It can also be grown through climbing roses, shrubs, or small trees, where its dark flowers contrast beautifully with paler blooms or foliage. It’s equally effective against walls, fences, and garden structures, adding long-lasting vertical interest during the height of summer. Its vigorous yet manageable growth also suits wildlife-friendly and informal planting schemes.

Care Tips
Clematis Etoile Violette thrives in full sun or part shade, in moist but well-drained soil. It belongs to Pruning Group 3, which means it should be pruned hard in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh, flowering growth. Mulching the base and keeping roots shaded while the top growth enjoys sunlight helps promote healthy development. Feeding during the growing season supports abundant blooms.

Clematis Viticella Etoile Violette - Distinctive Features
Compared to other clematis varieties, Etoile Violette stands out for its combination of rich, non-fading colour, extended flowering season, and strong resistance to clematis wilt. Its classic beauty and low-maintenance nature make it a garden favourite across generations.