Clematis viticella ‘Dark Eyes’ is one of the most admired cultivars in the viticella group, prized for its rich, dramatic colour and exceptional flowering performance. Known for producing masses of semi-nodding blooms with a velvety texture, it offers an unparalleled display of deep purple, almost black flowers that shimmer in the summer sunlight. The near-black petals create a sophisticated, moody effect, contrasting beautifully with lighter foliage, pale walls, or companion plants, making it a standout choice for high-impact borders and vertical planting schemes.
Developed for robustness and reliability, ‘Dark Eyes’ is highly resistant to common Clematis ailments such as wilt, ensuring consistent performance year after year. Its vigorous climbing and scrambling habit make it incredibly versatile. It thrives on trellises, obelisks, pergolas, and arches, but can also weave elegantly through large shrubs or roses, or even trail along the ground as a dramatic, low-maintenance groundcover. Its adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of garden styles, from contemporary schemes to traditional cottage gardens, and even wildlife-friendly spaces, as the flowers attract summer pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Clematis viticella ‘Dark Eyes’ is a vigorous climber reaching 2–3m (6–10ft) in height with a spread of 1–2m (3–6ft), making it ideal for trellises, pergolas, fences, and arches. The semi-nodding flowers measure approximately 7–10cm across, displaying a near-black, velvety hue with subtle reddish-purple undertones and contrasting yellow stamens. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, it prefers well-drained soil and benefits from regular watering during the growing season. Its long flowering period—from midsummer to early autumn—ensures months of rich, dramatic colour. Its vigorous yet manageable habit allows for easy pruning and shaping, suitable for contemporary or traditional gardens, wildlife-friendly spaces, and container planting.
