How to Grow Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

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Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

Clematis × jackmanii 'Nelly Moser'

vine

Nelly Moser is a large-flowered hybrid clematis known for its stunning bicolor blooms featuring deep pink or mauve stripes on a pale pink to white background. This deciduous vine produces 5-7 inch flowers and can reach 8-12 feet in height, making it an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, and garden structures. It's among the most popular clematis varieties due to its reliable blooming and moderate vigor.

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Example Clematis 'Nelly Moser' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Clematis 'Nelly Moser'
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Clematis 'Nelly Moser'
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Clematis 'Nelly Moser' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun to partial shade; requires 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering, with afternoon shade in hot climates (above 85°F) to protect flowers from fading

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Water: Consistently moist but well-draining soil during growing season; water deeply 1-2 times weekly depending on rainfall and heat. Reduce watering in winter. Keep roots cool and shaded with mulch to maintain consistent moisture.

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Spacing: 36 inches

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Days to maturity: Begins flowering in year 2-3 after planting; reaches mature size in 3-5 years

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Planting depth: Plant with the crown 1-2 inches below soil surface to protect against clematis wilt and frost damage

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter content

pH: 6.5-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or well-rotted manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Leaf mold or peat moss Balanced slow-release fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8; hardy and reliable throughout most of the continental United States

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

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Growth Stages

Establishment (Spring Year 1)

8-12 weeks

Young vines with emerging leaves and rapid growth toward support structure; minimal flowering expected

Water regularly to establish deep roots; provide sturdy support; pinch back growing tips to encourage branching; avoid fertilizer excess which promotes foliage over flowers

Vegetative Growth (Spring-Early Summer)

4-6 weeks

Vigorous vine growth with abundant dark green foliage; flower buds beginning to form on stems

Tie in new growth to support structure; deadhead any early flowers to direct energy to vine establishment; maintain consistent moisture; mulch around base

First Flowering (Late Spring-Early Summer)

4-6 weeks (may repeat with second flush)

Appearance of characteristic bicolor flowers with deep pink/mauve stripes on pale pink to white petals; flowers 5-7 inches across

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming; provide liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks; ensure consistent watering during blooming

Summer Growth & Second Bloom (Midsummer-Fall)

6-8 weeks

Second flush of flowers often appears after summer pruning; continued vine growth and foliage development

Prune lightly after first flush by removing 12-18 inches from stem tips; water during dry spells; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage blooming over leaf growth

Dormancy (Winter)

12-16 weeks

Vine goes dormant; leaves brown and fall; stems remain visible on structure

Do not prune in late fall or winter to avoid frost damage; mulch around base with 3-4 inches of organic material; remove dead vines in early spring only if necessary

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Roses Lavender Catmint Salvia Alliums Delphinium Bearded iris Russian sage Geranium Boxwood

Avoid planting near:

Clematis with conflicting pruning requirements (Groups 1 & 3 together) Moisture-hoarding shallow-rooted plants in same container Dense overhead shade from mature trees Competing vines (honeysuckle, ivy)

Common Pests

Remove affected stems well below wilted area and dispose; ensure deep planting (1-2 inches below soil surface) for regrowth from protected crown; maintain good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; some cultivars are resistant
Ensure good air circulation around vine; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or fungicide in early morning if severe; thin crowded growth; neem oil as organic option
Remove flower buds showing damage; rarely severe enough to require treatment; encourage natural predators like ground beetles; sticky traps if monitoring needed
and
Remove dead foliage and debris where they hide; apply copper tape around support structure base; encourage ground beetles and toads; beer traps in severe cases; hand-pick in early morning
Mist foliage regularly with water to increase humidity; spray with strong water stream to dislodge; apply neem oil or miticide if severe; ensure adequate water during hot, dry periods

Uses

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Cut flowers and floral arrangements

Craft

The large, showy bicolor blooms are excellent for fresh floral arrangements, adding elegance to bouquets and display vases. The flowers last 7-14 days in water when cut in early morning. [source]

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Garden structure decoration and privacy screening

Household

Nelly Moser's vigorous growth and prolific blooming make it ideal for covering arbors, trellises, pergolas, and garden walls. It provides semi-transparent screening while displaying months of colorful flowers. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies throughout the growing season, supporting pollinator populations in the garden. The seed heads that follow provide winter interest and food for birds. [source]

🍳

Ornamental garnish (with caution)

Culinary

While some clematis species have historical culinary uses, Nelly Moser flowers are primarily ornamental. Leaves and roots contain potentially irritating compounds and should not be ingested; only petals can be used as edible garnish if sourced from pesticide-free plants, and then only in moderation. [source]

Harvest Tips

Nelly Moser is grown as an ornamental, not harvested for consumption. Cut flowers for arrangements by snipping stems with 2-3 sets of leaves remaining; flowers last 1-2 weeks in water. Best cutting is early morning when stems are fully hydrated. For continuous garden blooms, deadhead faded flowers but leave attractive seed heads if desired in fall.

Fun Facts

🌱 Nelly Moser was raised by the French clematis breeder Francisque Moser in the 1890s and named after his daughter Nelly; it remains one of the most reliable large-flowered hybrids over 130 years later.
🌱 The distinctive striped petals intensify in color when grown in cooler climates and with afternoon shade, while full hot sun can cause the pink stripes to fade to pale lilac, making location critical for color display.
🌱 Clematis vines produce beautiful ornamental seed heads resembling fluffy silver plumes (called comas) in late summer and fall, adding season-long interest beyond the flowering period.

Gardening Terms

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

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Partial Shade Pinch Back Trellis

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