Clematis 'Barbara Harrington'
Clematis 'Barbara Harrington' is a vigorous climbing perennial vine with elegant star shaped pale pink flowers that appear in early to midsummer and often repeat later in the season. Its climbing habit and abundant blooms make it a standout for vertical garden structure, softening fences, trellises, and arbors with long lasting floral display.
Height & Spread: 6 - 10 ft x 2 - 4 ft
Bloom Time: Early to midsummer, reblooming later in season
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade (best bloom in sun with cool roots)
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained, fertile soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
Deer Resistance: Moderately deer resistant
Native Status
This is a cultivated hybrid clematis selection bred for ornamental garden performance and is not native to North America.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Attracts native bees and bumblebees which visit the open star shaped flowers for nectar during peak bloom.
Butterflies
- Draws a variety of butterflies including Swallowtails and Painted Ladies which are attracted to its soft colored blooms.
Hummingbirds
- Occasionally visited by hummingbirds which are drawn to the open accessible flower form and steady nectar availability.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 3 - 5 ft from other plants to allow room for vine expansion and airflow around foliage.
Landscape Placement
- Best used on trellises, fences, arbors, or pergolas where it can climb freely and display its blooms at eye level while keeping roots shaded and cool.
Companion Plants
- Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' (Bigleaf Hydrangea) - Provides a dense flowering shrub base that complements clematis climbing above it.
- Rosa 'New Dawn' (Climbing Rose) - Creates a layered vertical display with overlapping bloom cycles and soft romantic form.
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (English Lavender) - Adds fragrant low growing structure that contrasts with the vertical vine habit.
- Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) - Offers warm toned foliage at the base to balance the cooler pink blooms above.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Meadow Sage) - Brings upright purple flower spikes that complement the vertical garden structure.