Northwest Blooms · Vines
Clematis patens 'Miss Cavell'
Miss Cavell Clematis
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 ft
- Width
- 3 to 6 ft
- Flower color
- Pure white, large star-shaped flowers with yellow centers
- Foliage color
- Deep green pinnate leaves forming a lush climbing vine
- Bloom time
- Early to mid summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate moisture
- Maintenance
- Moderate; requires support or trellis; light pruning after flowering to remove weak stems
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
About this plant
Clematis patens 'Miss Cavell' produces large, open flowers in clear, pure white, with gently overlapping tepals that create a soft star-shaped outline. The blooms are centered with creamy yellow anthers and pale filaments that form a luminous focal point. Lightly textured petals catch natural light, while mid-green foliage provides a calm backdrop.
Flowering begins in late spring and often continues into early summer, with occasional repeat blooms later in the season. Introduced in the nineteenth century and named in honor of Edith Cavell, this cultivar is well suited for trellises, pergolas, and garden obelisks, where its refined flowers brighten vertical plantings and shaded garden spaces.
Works well in
Arbors & Trellises · Fences & Walls · Vertical Screening · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hydrangeas · Astilbes · Foxgloves
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it something sturdy to climb and keep the base planted with lower perennials, which shades the roots and hides bare stems.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Rogerson Clematis Garden.
