How to Grow Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud

Wikimedia Commons

Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud

Clematis × jackmanii 'Comtesse de Bouchaud'

vine

A large-flowered clematis cultivar producing abundant rose-pink blooms with prominent yellow stamens throughout summer and early fall. This vigorous, deciduous climbing vine is one of the most reliable and floriferous clematis varieties, ideal for trellises, arbors, and pergolas. It belongs to the Jackmanii group (Group 3) and blooms on new wood, making it very forgiving for gardeners.

When should you plant Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud timeline →

Example Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best blooming. Prefers cool roots with sunny foliage.

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice weekly during growing season. Reduce watering in winter. Mulch around base to keep roots cool and retain moisture.

📏

Spacing: 36 inches

📅

Days to maturity: N/A (perennial vine; flowers appear 2-3 years after planting)

🌱

Planting depth: Plant deep—bury the entire root ball 2-3 inches deeper than the nursery pot. This encourages multiple stems and provides frost protection.

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-9, with best performance in zones 5-8

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Get my Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud timeline →

Growth Stages

Establishment

First 12 months

Young vine with 1-3 thin stems and small leaves; minimal growth in first year after planting.

Provide sturdy support structure. Water regularly and mulch heavily. Do not prune except to remove any dead or diseased stems. Be patient—clematis is notoriously slow to establish.

Vegetative Growth

Months 12-24

Vine develops multiple stems and expands rapidly across support structure; lush green foliage with no flowers.

Train shoots along support structure as they grow. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season. Continue consistent watering. Mulch to cool roots.

Flowering

June-September (3-4 months)

Abundant 4-6 inch rose-pink flowers with yellow stamens appear on current-season growth, typically starting in June-July.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer or water with dilute potassium-rich fertilizer to promote blooms over foliage.

Late Summer/Fall Blooming

August-October

Continued flowering through late summer and early fall; flowers may be slightly smaller as the season progresses.

Continue deadheading. Reduce watering slightly if autumn rains increase. Do not prune yet; let vines remain for winter structure.

Dormancy & Pruning

November-March

Foliage dies back or becomes sparse; old flowering stems remain on the vine.

In late winter (February-March), cut back all stems to 12-24 inches above ground level. This hard pruning is essential for Group 3 clematis—it rejuvenates the vine and ensures prolific flowering. Remove old, tangled wood.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Roses Lavender Boxwood Hollyhock Delphinium Salvia Catmint (Nepeta) Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Other vigorous vines that compete for space Wisteria Clematis varieties with different pruning groups on the same support

Common Pests

Fungal disease causing sudden wilting. Plant deeply to encourage new shoots below soil level. Remove affected stems immediately and discard. Improve air circulation with pruning. May recover if roots are unaffected. No chemical cure; prevention via good air flow is key.
White coating on leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Ensure good air circulation through pruning and proper spacing. Spray with sulfur-based fungicide or neem oil in early stages. Keep foliage dry.
Tiny spider-like pests causing yellowing and webbing. Spray with water to remove. Use miticide or neem oil if severe. Increase humidity around the plant.
and
Chew holes in new foliage and stems. Remove by hand, especially at night. Use beer traps, copper barriers, or organic slug pellets. Keep mulch pulled back slightly from base.
May damage flowers. Trap using rolled newspaper or straw near the base. Remove traps during the day and dispose of pests.

Uses

🎨

Fresh Cut Flowers

Craft

The large, showy rose-pink blooms are excellent for fresh flower arrangements and can be cut at their peak. Clematis flowers add elegance and texture to mixed bouquets and last a week or more in water. [source]

🏠

Garden Structure & Ornament

Household

Clematis is primarily valued as an ornamental climbing vine for trellises, arbors, pergolas, and fences. Its abundant blooms create visual focal points and transform garden structures into living decorative elements. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The prominent yellow stamens and open flower form attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the summer blooming season, supporting beneficial insect populations. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Clematis has a long history in traditional Chinese and European herbalism, though modern evidence is limited. Historical uses include treatment of skin conditions and joint pain, though ingestion is not recommended without professional guidance due to potential irritants. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Clematis is not harvested for food or functional material. Flowers may be cut for fresh arrangements when fully open; cut stems at a 45-degree angle and place immediately in water. Blooms last 5-7 days indoors. Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season (without cutting back main stems) extends flowering and promotes more blooms. In late winter, cut the entire vine back hard to 12-24 inches—this is not 'harvest' but essential maintenance.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' honors a 19th-century French noblewoman and reflects the clematis's origin as a hybrid developed in France—it remains one of the most popular clematis cultivars worldwide over 150 years after its introduction.
🌱 Clematis is famously difficult to establish in the first 1-2 years after planting, leading to the gardener's adage: 'First year it sleeps, second year it creeps, third year it leaps.' Patience is rewarded with vigorous, prolific growth.
🌱 The deep planting technique—burying the clematis significantly deeper than most perennials—is a critical survival strategy: if the vine is killed by frost or wilt above ground, new stems can emerge from the buried nodes, ensuring the plant's survival.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Trellis

Shop Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Clematis Comtesse de Bouchaud timeline →