The President Clematis Plants

• Variety: The President – deep purple
• Latin name: Clematis 'The President'
• Flower: Rich purple-blue, 15–20cm across, with red-purple anthers
• Scent: None
• Climbing method: Leaf-stalk tendril climber
• Height: To 3m
• Flowering: May–June, then September
• Pruning group: Group 2 – light trim in February, then tidy after the first flush
• Planting depth: Plant 8–10cm below pot level
• Hardiness: Fully hardy (including Scotland, coastal, exposed sites)
• RHS AGM: Yes (confirmed December 2024)
• Sold as: P9 and 3L deep pots, grown from cuttings by us. Peat-free compost
• Plant outdoors: Year-round
• Delivered: March–November typically. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Clematis The President – Big Purple Flowers, No Fuss

The President produces some of the largest flowers in the clematis range: rich purple-blue, 15–20cm across, with a central boss of red-purple anthers that gives them depth. The first flush opens in May on stems made the previous year; a second, lighter flush follows in September on new growth. That two-season display is the Group 2 pattern, and The President does it more reliably than almost any other variety in the group. It holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit, which it has earned by being the clematis that just works. Plant it, water it, leave it alone, and it flowers. Year after year.

At 3m it is a good choice if you want to cover a fence, an obelisk, a pergola, or a trellis on a wall. It tolerates more shade than most large-flowered clematis and grows happily on north- and east-facing walls where varieties like Ernest Markham would struggle. The colour holds well in shade; in full sun the purple intensifies but the flowers fade faster. It is fully hardy, unfazed by frost pockets, coastal winds, or Scottish highland winters. If you are choosing your first clematis and have no idea what to buy, this is the safe answer.

The President and a Rose

Deep purple clematis through a pink rose is one of the classic combinations. At home, a Narrow Water rambler (the best repeat-flowering pink rambler, in my opinion) has to put up with several clematis, but The President's colouring goes very well indeed with the gentle pink of the rose. The timing overlaps neatly: the rose flowers from June, the clematis from May, and both carry on through the summer months. Plant the clematis 30–45cm from the base of an established climbing rose and let it find its way up through the stems. For a different colour companion on the same structure, Nelly Moser offers pale pink with a carmine bar, a softer contrast to The President's saturated purple. Plant lavender at the base to extend the purple-pink theme at ground level.

Grown by Us in Somerset

We grow The President on from our own cuttings. It roots willingly and grows strongly, which means we lose very few plants in production and the ones that reach you have been raised in good conditions from birth. Peat-free compost, biological controls, no neonicotinoids. The team who took your cutting, potted it on, and grew it to sale size are the same people who pick it from the bench and pack your order. That is not how most mail-order nurseries work. Browse the full clematis range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which clematis pruning group is The President?

Group 2, so in February, remove any dead or weak stems and shorten the remaining ones to just above a pair of fat buds. For the full explanation see our clematis pruning guide.

How deep should I plant The President?

Plant 8–10cm below pot level. Deep planting encourages shoots from below ground, providing a reserve if wilt or accidental damage kills the top growth. This rule applies to all Group 2 and Group 3 clematis. See our clematis planting depth guide for the full method.

Will The President grow on a north-facing wall?

Yes, it is one of the best large-flowered clematis for shade. The purple-blue colour actually holds better out of direct sun; in a sunny position the flowers fade sooner. A north wall, a shaded fence, or the dark side of a pergola all suit it well. See our shade-tolerant climbers guide for more options.

Is The President resistant to clematis wilt?

No more than any other large-flowered hybrid, so deep planting is the best insurance. Planted 8–10cm below the surface, a clematis regenerates from underground buds even if wilt kills everything above (which is unusual). If wilt-resistance is a priority, the viticella group (Étoile Violette, Polish Spirit) is virtually immune.

Does The President clematis flower twice?

Yes, the main display kicks off in May and June on last year's wood. A second, lighter flush follows in September on the current year's growth. The September flowers are usually smaller, but the colour is the same deep purple-blue. Deadheading after the first flush helps redirect energy into the repeat.

Can I grow The President on an obelisk?

At 3m it is the right size for a freestanding obelisk in a border. Tie the main stems in as they grow and let the side shoots find their own way around the structure. The deep purple flowers look striking surrounded by lower planting in silver, pink, or white. This is a more restrained clematis than the montanas or viticellas; it stays where you put it.