How to Grow and Care for Clematis Arabella
A complete guide to cultivating Clematis 'Arabella'. Learn to harness its unique, non-clinging habit for a versatile, season-long display of indigo blooms.
A complete guide to cultivating Clematis 'Arabella'. Learn to harness its unique, non-clinging habit for a versatile, season-long display of indigo blooms.
Clematis ‘Arabella’ is a distinctive perennial that offers a prolonged display of color, producing a profusion of indigo-purple flowers from early summer until the first frosts of autumn. The flowers, 7.5 to 9 cm across, have six narrow sepals that can fade to a lighter blue or pinky-mauve as they age. Unlike many clematis, ‘Arabella’ does not cling or climb. Instead, it has a scrambling habit, growing through adjacent plants or structures for support. Its semi-herbaceous nature means it dies back in winter, and it has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
‘Arabella’ thrives with its “head in the sun and feet in the shade.” This means the plant’s stems and leaves should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage abundant flowering. The root zone, however, should be kept cool and moist, which can be achieved by planting low-growing perennials or annuals around its base.
The soil must be fertile and well-draining to prevent root rot, while also being moisture-retentive. Before planting, amend the soil with well-rotted compost or manure to improve its structure and nutrient content. When planting near a wall or fence, position the rootball at least 30 cm away to avoid the dry soil found at the base of structures.
Dig a planting hole that is twice as wide as the rootball and just as deep. Gently tease out any circling roots before placing the plant in the hole. The crown of the plant, where the stems meet the roots, should be positioned about 5 cm below the soil surface. This deeper planting encourages a strong root system and promotes new shoots to emerge from below the ground. Backfill the hole with the amended soil, firming it gently around the roots, and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Arabella’, particularly during its active growing season and in dry weather. Water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the soil to become slightly dry on the surface between waterings. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil where it remains cooler. A layer of organic mulch, such as compost or shredded bark, will help conserve soil moisture and keep the roots cool.
In late winter or early spring, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer as new growth begins. Another application can be made after the first major flush of flowers has finished to encourage a second wave of blooms. A fertilizer formulated for roses is a good choice for clematis. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
As a non-clinging scrambler, ‘Arabella’ requires support to keep its flowering stems from trailing on the ground. This support can be a small obelisk, a low fence, or other sturdy plants. Without support, it can be used as a sprawling groundcover at the front of a border.
This clematis belongs to Pruning Group 3, also known as hard-prune clematis. This group flowers on the current season’s growth, or “new wood,” so pruning is performed to stimulate this new growth each year.
The timing for this task is late winter or early spring, in February or March, before the plant begins to actively grow. The process involves cutting back all of the previous year’s stems to a height of 15 to 30 cm from the ground. Make each cut just above a pair of strong, healthy-looking buds, which will be the starting point for the new season’s vines.
This annual cut rejuvenates the plant and prevents the development of a tangled mass of woody stems with a bare base. Hard pruning ensures the plant’s energy goes into producing fresh, flower-covered stems, keeping the display full and at an enjoyable height.
‘Arabella’ works well as a weaver, mingling with other plants without overwhelming them. It is an excellent companion for shrub roses, where its blue-purple flowers can intertwine with the rose blossoms, filling in gaps and extending the season of interest. It can also ramble through the branches of small shrubs or evergreen hedges.
It also serves effectively as a flowering groundcover. When planted at the front of a herbaceous border, its stems can sprawl forward, softening the edges and providing a carpet of color for months. This works particularly well on a gentle slope or at the top of a retaining wall, where the flowering stems can cascade over the edge.
For smaller spaces or patios, ‘Arabella’ is well-suited to growing in large containers where it can be trained up a small obelisk to create a vertical accent. Good companions include plants with contrasting foliage like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) or the chartreuse flowers of Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis). Ornamental grasses also make a fine backdrop, their texture contrasting with the clematis flowers.