Clematis 'Ernest Kitty' is a compact free flowering variety featuring pristine white blooms with lightly ruffled petals and a creamy yellow center. Its restrained vine habit makes it well suited for small trellises, obelisks, or weaving through neighboring shrubs. Blooming on both old and new wood, it extends its flowering season from late spring through summer with minimal pruning.
Height & Spread: 6 - 8 ft x 2 - 3 ft
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil with good organic matter
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but dislikes soggy roots
Deer Resistance: Not typically favored by deer due to toxicity
Native Status
Derived from Clematis species native to Europe and Asia, this cultivar is not native to North America but performs well in temperate zones.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Attracts long tongued bees such as bumblebees and leafcutter bees which pollinate the nodding flowers efficiently.
Butterflies
- Offers nectar for skippers and swallowtails during summer bloom periods.
Birds
- Provides sheltering vine cover for small birds like wrens and chickadees.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Allow 24 - 36 in spacing and support structure to accommodate vertical growth habit.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for container trellises, vertical obelisks, or threading through shrubs in mixed borders where flowers can be admired up close.
Companion Plants
- Geranium macrorrhizum (Bigroot Geranium) - Dense aromatic foliage offers weed suppression and vibrant early blooms beneath the clematis.
- Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' - Provides a soft structural backdrop with large white blooms that echo Clematis’ brightness.
- Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low' - Soft lavender blue flowers provide a cool color contrast and attract pollinators.
- Heuchera 'Green Spice' - Contrasting silver veined leaves add foliage texture and color at the clematis base.
- Rosa 'Iceberg' - White floribunda rose provides continuous bloom and complements the clematis vine in sunny borders.