Clematis, Early Large-flowered Clematis 'Nelly Moser'
Clematis
Family: | Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Clematis (KLEM-uh-tiss) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Nelly Moser |
Additional cultivar information: | (aka Nellie Moser) |
Hybridized | by Moser |
Registered or introduced: | circa 1897 |

Group:
Early Large-flowered
Height:
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Spacing:
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color:
Rose/Mauve
Flower Fragrance:
No fragrance
Bloom Shape:
Single
Bloom Diameter:
Large - 5 to 8 inches (12 to 20 cm)
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Other details:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Pruning Groups:
Group 2 - Repeat bloomers; prune immediately after flowering
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Foliage Color:
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are good for cutting
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Irvington, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama(2 reports)
De Witt, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Sherwood, Arkansas
Capistrano Beach, California
Citrus Heights, California
Elk Grove, California
Hesperia, California
Merced, California
Oakhurst, California
San Francisco, California
Loveland, Colorado
Cos Cob, Connecticut
Seaford, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Daytona Beach, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Youngstown, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Braselton, Georgia
Canton, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Aurora, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Hampton, Illinois
Hazel Crest, Illinois
Spring Grove, Illinois
Washington, Illinois
Macy, Indiana
Schererville, Indiana
Warren, Indiana
Dubuque, Iowa
Olathe, Kansas
Barbourville, Kentucky
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Lancaster, Kentucky
Alexandria, Louisiana
West Monroe, Louisiana
Youngsville, Louisiana
North Yarmouth, Maine
Waterville, Maine
, Manitoba
Reading, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Croswell, Michigan
Plainwell, Michigan
Port Huron, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Trenton, Michigan
Minneapolis, Minnesota(2 reports)
Marietta, Mississippi
Mathiston, Mississippi
Brunswick, Missouri
Jackson, New Jersey
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Brooklyn, New York
Buffalo, New York
Jefferson, New York
Rome, New York
Southold, New York
Burlington, North Carolina
Clemmons, North Carolina(2 reports)
Rowland, North Carolina
Belfield, North Dakota
Bucyrus, Ohio
Conneaut, Ohio
Glouster, Ohio
Hamilton, Ohio
Haviland, Ohio
Norman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Eagle Point, Oregon
Grants Pass, Oregon
Oakland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Albion, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Butler, Pennsylvania
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania
North Scituate, Rhode Island
Conway, South Carolina
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Clarksville, Tennessee
Cookeville, Tennessee
Gainesboro, Tennessee
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Lafayette, Tennessee
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas(2 reports)
Brownwood, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)
Hereford, Texas
Lewisville, Texas
Paris, Texas
Richmond, Texas
Salt Lake City, Utah
Leesburg, Virginia
Linden, Virginia
Mc Lean, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Arlington, Washington
Arlington Heights, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Oso, Washington
Smokey Point, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Schofield, Wisconsin
Verona, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On May 31, 2018, wendymadre from Petersburg, VA wrote: I've had 'Nelly Moser' growing in my Zone 7A, southern Virginia garden for fifteen years at least. I dug it up to move it five years ago, and it transplanted well, growing up through hybrid musk rose 'Sally Holmes,' and furthermore, it has spread as a ground cover in its old spot (which is a tropicals patch now: elephant ears, cannas, fatsia, zebra grass, coleus and hardy bananas), Lovely, vigorous vine. |
Negative | On Mar 7, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: The blackened crispy leaves some complain of are due to a common fungal disease called clematis wilt. Large-flowered clematis are more prone to clematis wilt than the species and small-flowered hybrids. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/you... |
Positive | On Mar 9, 2015, janelp_lee from Toronto, ON (Zone 6a) wrote: I have collected 'Nelly Moser' seeds in late fall/ early winter and grow them in winter, seeds germinate and grow quickly. It is very hardy and tolerant shady area than other varieties. Love its large blooms! |
Positive | On Aug 19, 2012, jazzy1okc from Oklahoma City, OK wrote: This is one of the hardiest, most vigorous clematis I've grown here in OKC. However, the color contrast of the blooms fades out to almost white in midday through late afternoon sun here. Ideal light is morning sun only in this hot part of the world. Darker, brighter flowered clematis, like purple Jackmani, do fine with late afternoon sun. |
Neutral | On Aug 4, 2011, FLOWER_FANATIC from Columbus, OH (Zone 5b) wrote: Hate to inform you but 'tcfromky' picture is NOT "NELLY MOSER", BUT "HAGLEY HYBRID". |
Positive | On Jun 19, 2009, grammielorilee from Port Huron, MI (Zone 6a) wrote: I planted Nelly Moser 3 years ago and this is the first year it is blooming. I really wanted it as my daughter's name is Nettie Moser. Clematis has been difficult for me to grow, but now that it is blooming, I'm thrilled. I hope it keeps getting taller and blooms more each year. Do most Clematis take several years to get going? |
Positive | On Sep 14, 2008, gardenlady123 from Plainwell, MI (Zone 5b) wrote: Beautiful flowers. I was spell bound by its beauty this summer. (2008). It filled the trellis and them some. Got many compliments on it. The colors are very vivid. |
Positive | On Mar 10, 2008, kimberlihiggins from Little Rock, AR wrote: My very first Clematis. Very pretty. |
Positive | On Feb 23, 2007, TulipLady from Atlanta, GA (Zone 7b) wrote: I bought this plant as little baby and planted it against the front of our house in Holland, facing S/E. Although the summers are not always warm and sunny it did very well. Became huge in the end (when we left Holland plant was about 9 yrs old) it almost reached the top of our 2 story house. Never did anything much except trim it extensively in early spring before buds came. And once a year some extra fertilizer. I do take the old flowers out though, but in the end that was really too much work because there was so much. |
Positive | On Sep 6, 2006, Joy from Kalama, WA (Zone 8b) wrote: I have successfully propagated Nelly Moser this year by dividing the roots. I had to chop through them because they are so tough but every one of them are sprouting new growth |
Neutral | On Jun 20, 2006, dirtyditz from Bowling Green, KY wrote: I have a Nellie Moser and although the roots are shaded well by Ivy and Spirea, it still turns brown and crispy after flowering. However, it does get a lot of hot sun. I am wondering if it's just in the wrong spot,maybe needs a cooler place ?? I am getting more blooms year after year though. I've been told by an expert that Clematis really like some lime around them. |
Positive | On May 22, 2006, missmarysgarden from Minneapolis, MN (Zone 4b) wrote: I like Nellie Moser - though not one of my favorites, I have a large one that has prospered. I have several vigorous clematis (my favorites are all small-flowered types). I used to have trouble with die back from the bottom up, but learned that its not just direct sun on the roots, but heat itself in very hot weather can do it in. So plant it a bit deeper than it came potted; mulch it deeply (like 3 inches); and then plant a good shading plant in front of it - I find the large sedums perfect; where that doesn't fill the bill, peonies also provide deep cover. |
Positive | On Feb 12, 2006, TBGDN from (Zone 5a) wrote: This is probably my best growing clematis. I have it planted in several places because stem and leaf cuttings are easily made from the vines. I have even grown seed from it with surprising results; but it does not come true to color from seed. It has climbed 10+' on a lattice by the front doorway, and spreads out on the fence at least 3-4' in each direction. Blooms are very nice, large (5-6-7") and come as early as mid-May and repeat throughout the summer. Very little trouble to grow. |
Neutral | On Sep 24, 2005, kbaumle from Northwest, OH (Zone 5b) wrote: firehawk, I've had mine for two years now, too, and I have the same problem. Beautiful blooms, then it starts to die from the bottom up. Brown, crispy foliage and stems. :-( Makes you wonder how it stays alive like that. |
Neutral | On Jun 12, 2005, teatimer from Lavrica, Nelly Moser seems to be pickier than most regarding its location and conditions. We've been happy with it for a while; sturdier cultivars have taken over now. |
Neutral | On Jun 11, 2005, firehawk from Jackson, NJ wrote: I loved the flowers on this plant! My only problem is that the two years I've had it, it seems to die back from the bottom up. I get nice flowers and then...boom...the leaves start to turn brown and die. I've moved it and am hoping it will do better. Beautiful plant, though. |
Neutral | On May 23, 2005, Jnette from Northeast, WA (Zone 5a) wrote: I have had this plant for about 5 years. After 3 years of growth but no blossoms I asked a radio garden specialist what was the problem. She told me that even though I had had it 3 years, to dig it up and plant it about 3 inches deeper. She said to plant the clematis deeper than where they were in the pot so their roots would be cool. They want sun on the top but cool roots. I did that and have gotten better blooming but nothing spectacular. The only thing I can think is that I do not get enough sun on my top. |
Neutral | On May 15, 2005, Gindee77 from Hampton, IL (Zone 5a) wrote: This clematis has huge lovely blooms and the color is very striking. It makes a statement when planted with other perennials. |
Neutral | On Jan 3, 2005, mystic from Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) wrote: Awarded RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993. |
Positive | On Jul 15, 2004, shortcm from Wilmington, DE (Zone 7b) wrote: As in one of the pictures, I have spiraled this around my lamppost (and traced it with white lights for Christmas). It has taken almost 4 years, but now I am getting ample blossoms. It was well worth the wait, and a great focal point from the street. The seed pods are wonderful all year. I keep the roots hidden under peonies, and mulched. |
Neutral | On Jun 15, 2004, shantigohil from surrey, My Nelly Moser is in an ideal position in its 1st year. It's growing very well, with excellent foliage, but it has no flower buds at all, although it is 8 feet tall. Can someone please tell me if it normal or am I doing something wrong??? |
Positive | On May 29, 2004, drascal from De Witt, AR wrote: This plant bloomed only twice the first year I had it-early spring and late summer when weather was cooler. This year it has bloomed continuously throughout spring and into summer. I cut off dead blooms, which seems to help it continue its blooming. Very beautiful plant. I keep it mulched, so the roots don't need any other kind of shade. Hummingbirds love it. |
Positive | On Mar 30, 2004, KDePetrillo from North Scituate, RI (Zone 6a) wrote: Very fond of this plant: I grow it on a gray, weathered picket fence and it really looks nice! The flowers are large, too (not gigantic, but a really nice size). |
Positive | On Mar 16, 2003, Bug_Girl from San Francisco, CA wrote: I think this is the easy-to-grow Clematis, and it seems to be one of the most common. They say the secret is not to let the roots get too hot, so plant a shrub to shade the roots. But, since I live in San Francisco, the roots don't get too hot. It does not like having its roots disturbed. Use bloom food when it is beginning to set flowers. It is good with roses as companions. |