Sweet Autumn Clematis is a fall blooming clematis with fragrant white flowers. Get growing tips, pruning advice, and ideas to keep it in check.
Several years ago, when we were still living at the house on Sutton Place, I had the idea to plant a Sweet Autumn clematis along the backyard fence. Like many garden plans, it never quite made it past the “someday” list. As luck would have it, my neighbor, Betsy, had planted one in her own yard. That summer, she tossed the top of the plant over the fence so I could enjoy it too. It was such a kind gesture, and that beautiful clematis turned out to be one of the highlights of my garden that fall.
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Why You’ll Love Sweet Autumn Clematis
This variety of clematis truly shines when many other flowers have finished blooming. It begins flowering in late August and continues through September, sometimes even into early October depending on the weather. The dark green leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the delicate white blooms, which appear in clusters and seem to float along the vines. As the season progresses, the flowers transition into soft, silvery seed heads that look lovely in cut arrangements or tucked into fall décor.
Growing Tips
- Light Requirements: Sweet Autumn Clematis is hardy in zones 5 through 10. It grows in full sun, but a bit of afternoon shade helps produce more blooms and keeps the vines healthier.
- Provide Strong Support: this clematis is a vigorous grower. By the second or third year, it really takes off. A sturdy fence, arbor, or heavy trellis is ideal. Without support, it will creep along the ground, which isn’t ideal and can lead to it taking over nearby plants.
- When to Prune: this clematis blooms on new growth, so it should only be pruned after it flowers. Late fall or very early spring are the best times. Cut the stems back to about 18 to 24 inches before new shoots appear. This keeps the plant from getting too leggy.
- Patience Pays Off: it may take a couple of years for Sweet Autumn Clematis to bloom, but once it settles in, you’ll be rewarded with an abundance of fragrant white flowers year after year.
- Winter Dormancy: the plant is deciduous, so expect the stems to be bare in winter.
- Propagation: it can be propagated through root cuttings in the spring or soft vine cuttings in early summer.
- Seed Heads: One of the unexpected joys of growing this fall blooming clematis is the way it keeps on giving. After the blooms fade, the seed heads can be harvested and used in fall flower arrangements or dried for crafts.
How To Keep It Under Control
Sweet Autumn Clematis is known for its vigorous growth, and in some areas, it’s considered mildly invasive. Left unchecked, it can quickly spread and overtake nearby plants…but please don’t let this sway you from planting it. To keep it manageable, prune it back hard every year after it blooms. Removing seed heads before they scatter can also help reduce self-seeding. Make sure to plant it where it has plenty of vertical space to climb, and keep an eye on where the vines are traveling. With just a little attention, it’s easy to enjoy this plant’s beauty without letting it take over your garden. If you enjoy late season color in the garden, this fall clematis is a wonderful option. For more ideas on adding beauty to your outdoor spaces, take a look at this list of my favorite hardy perennials.
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Thanks for sharing your Autumn Clematis pics and thoughts. I love mine! And will always have one in my yard. My first one didn’t survive a cold Indiana winter. Should I cover it after pruning?
Continuing to enjoy your emails….
Recently moved to the midwest from desert…love all your tips on pruning, etc.
Ann, I love that Sweet Autumn Clematis! It’s so pretty! I am going to try to find one in Spring so I can plant it and enjoy those lovely Fall blooms! Such a lovely post! Bless you, Ann, for always sharing with us! Have a great week!
Beautiful! Your blog has always been my favorite. Love everything about it……
This is such a lovely post. Thanks for sharing this post.
Sweet Autumn Clematis is one of my very favorite perennials. I had one for years on my fence that leads into my garden on the side of my house. It was beautiful, however it drove my husband crazy! He complained about it on a yearly basis. It “hid” the garden from the passers by as they walked past our house and admired our yard. Finally, after going through this “discussion” every year, I conceded and let him cut it down. I miss it tremendously this fall and enjoy others who have it. Yours is beautiful and please enjoy it for me!
Mine is in part shade next to the garage door so it is nice to see when we go in and out the door. I will try anything in my garden to use for a flower arrangement and this is no exception. It works beautifully as filler and gives a nice airy feel to the arrangement.
I love the tiny blossoms on this white clematis.
I have 3 of these in my yard. Mine get full sun but their “feet” are shaded by knockout roses or peonies.
I usually trim them in the late fall. My husband severly trimmed the oldest plant this spring. It went crazy and is larger than ever. The other 2 plants are from starts of the oldest plant. It is truly a beautiful clematis. You won’t be disappointed if you plant one.
Ann, this has been on my list of things to plant, too. But I’m really wondering where I can put this vine since it needs a bit of shade. How wonderful that your neighbor is sharing hers with you!
I love my Sweet Autum clematis! I throw kisses at it ! It makes me so happy to see it growing so beautiful at the end of summer. Spectacular showing ! Empress of Dirt ! She’s wonderful .
It goes without saying, love all the information you share with all of us. Thank you🍁🍁🍂
Hi Ann
I have had one for years . You might get a surprise one day and find a seedling growing in your yard .
I have found at least three. One I gave to my daughter and the others I have placed by my gate . They are a welcome sight when the garden starts to fade.
Just lovely.You have such a sweet neighbor.
Wow, what a great neighbor you have. I love the idea of sharing the beauty!
Sweet Autumn Clematis is one of those be-careful-what-you-wish-for things. I really, really wanted something to soften our front entry and, boy, did I get it! It is invasive but oh so pretty! My yard man has cut it down to the ground three times this year and there it is – still looking pretty – all over the porch and over there, and there, and there… ;)
I’m not giving up on it, though – I’m moving it to the back to grow up to my second story deck – the plant and I will both be happier with it there.
Sheila
We have a clematis which is very old.
We cut it back every fall. In the spring it takes off unbelievably fast climbing a secure trellis attached to porch pole.
It produces the most gorgeous 4-5″ deep pink flowers in early summer, it is just covered. What a joy!
A great neighbor is a treasure of life!
They are so pretty and will work in my zone. I think I will check into it.
Hi Ann..I have many Sweet Autumn clematis at my Moms and my garden. They are breathtaking ..especially in full bloom. They give off a mild perfume. I always trim mine in early spring because when the snow falls on the plant, it looks lovely. They give off shoots in the latter part of the summer…I have given many away to friends who see it in full bloom.
Thank you for this post, Ann! It brought back wonderful memories of a former neighbor and how we used to share plants and conversation over the fence.
I do enjoy Sweet Autumn Clematis but here in central Ohio they spread to the point of invasion if you let them go – meaning they self-seed everywhere.
Thank you for sharing this. I have been trying to grow them, but with not much success. I have one that keeps coming back, but it is not strong enough to really get pretty.