Clematis (Clematis 'Ville de Lyon')
The vibrant Clematis 'Ville de Lyon' is a low-maintenance vine boasting large carmine red flowers from June to August.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ is a highly prized, large-flowering hybrid Clematis celebrated for its dependable and prolific summer bloom. This magnificent vine produces showy, carmine red flowers, each measuring 4 to 6 inches across, highlighted beautifully by contrasting golden stamens. It offers excellent architectural height, reaching up to 12 feet, making it an ideal vertical accent for any garden space.
As a vigorous woody vine belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, this variety establishes itself quickly and requires minimal intervention once established, earning it a low maintenance rating. Gardeners enjoy it for its dramatic color display throughout the peak summer months, transforming supports like arbors and trellises into walls of vibrant color. Growing this spectacular Clematis ensures your garden has breathtaking vertical appeal.
This specific cultivar, Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’, flowers primarily from current season’s growth, which dictates its specific pruning needs. Its robust nature allows it to thrive across a wide range of climates from Zones 4 through 9, providing reliable performance for many gardeners.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Vine
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-12 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: Carmine red with yellow stamens
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting this Clematis hybrid is best achieved in spring or fall after the danger of hard frost has passed. Ensure the location offers fertile, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. A crucial element for success with Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ is shading its roots; the vine must receive full sun or part shade on its climbing parts, but the roots need to be kept cool and shaded. Use low-growing perennials, small shrubs, or a thick layer of mulch to shield the root zone.
Watering should be consistent, maintaining medium soil moisture levels; do not allow the soil to dry out, especially during establishment and peak summer heat. Fertilization is usually minimal if the soil is rich. Remember that this cultivar is classified as a Group 3 pruning type.
For Group 3 Clematis, pruning should be done back hard in the fall or very early spring, cutting the main stems down to a pair of strong buds situated a few inches above the ground. This encourages vigorous new growth, which carries the summer flowers. Always provide a sturdy trellis or other support structure, as these vines climb by tightly wrapping their twisting leaf stalks.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of Clematis allows it to be utilized in numerous ways to add strong vertical interest. Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ is perfect for training up walls, fences, arbors, or even lampposts, creating striking architectural focal points. Its 10 to 12 foot reach provides excellent screening or height along borders.
For a truly classic cottage garden look, allow this vine to scramble naturally through large, established shrubs or over sturdy supports that contrast with its bright carmine red blooms. Because it appreciates shaded roots, interplanting it with low, mounding perennials that won’t compete aggressively for nutrients works wonderfully. Furthermore, the vibrant color and long bloom period make it a standout choice when grown in large containers positioned near patios or entryways.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Clematis is a genus of over 250 species, most of which are woody to semi-woody deciduous vines climbing by twining leaf stalks or in some cases trailing over support, but in a few cases grow as freestanding or sprawling herbaceous perennials and small deciduous or evergreen shrubs. ‘Ville de Lyon’ is a large-flowering, hybrid clematis that features profuse, showy, 4-6” diameter, carmine red flowers with golden stamens. Bloom on this cultivar comes primarily from the current year’s growth, and covers the vine for most of the summer.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ can be susceptible to fungal issues, most notably wilt or stem rot, which can be fatal if left unchecked, alongside powdery mildew and leaf spots. Preventative care is key; ensure excellent air circulation and proper drainage, and avoid overhead watering late in the day. Potential insect pests requiring monitoring include aphids, scale, and slugs or snails, especially on new growth. If the plant exhibits sudden collapse, wilt, or stem discoloration, immediately treat suspected stem rot by cutting out the affected part well below the damaged area down to healthy tissue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ suitable for?
This vigorous hybrid Clematis is well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, offering reliable performance across a broad temperate range.
How large does Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ grow?
At maturity, this vine typically reaches a height between 10 and 12 feet, with a spread of 3 to 6 feet, requiring substantial vertical support.
What sun exposure does Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ need?
For optimal flowering, this plant prefers full sun, though it will also perform well in part shade; crucially, ensure that its base and roots remain shaded and cool.
When does Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ bloom?
You can expect this spectacular variety to bloom profusely from June right through August, showcasing beautiful carmine red flowers accented by bright yellow stamens.
Conclusion
The Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ provides unparalleled summer color with its stunning carmine red, large flowers and proven adaptability. Its low maintenance profile and deer resistance make it an excellent feature plant for climbing structures throughout your landscape. Before planting, confirm that your site offers a sunny exposure above ground and well-shaded, cool roots below.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for your Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’, focus on low-growing plants that will shade the vital root zone without aggressively competing for water or nutrients. Good options include groundcovers like creeping thyme or low-mounding perennials such as Hostas, especially those with variegated foliage, to provide high-contrast shade during the summer. Avoid planting thirsty, shallow-rooted annuals directly next to the base, as this can encourage the soil to dry out too quickly, which is detrimental to the Clematis.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the most critical time for Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ care, as this is when you execute your Group 3 pruning, cutting the vine back hard to the ground to encourage strong new flowering shoots. As the season progresses, monitor soil moisture closely, ensuring the shaded root area remains uniformly moist during dry spells. In the fall, apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base to insulate the roots before winter arrives, protecting them through the colder months.
