Clematis, Herbaceous Clematis, Late, Small Flowered Clematis 'Rooguchi'
Clematis
Family: | Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Clematis (KLEM-uh-tiss) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Rooguchi |
Additional cultivar information: | (aka Roguchi, Rougouchi) |
Hybridized | by Ozawa |
Registered or introduced: | 1990 |
Synonym: | Clematis integrifolia |

Group:
Herbaceous
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness:
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)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color:
Blue-Violet
Dark Purple/Black
Flower Fragrance:
No fragrance
Bloom Shape:
Bell
Bloom Diameter:
Small - less than 2 inches (5 cm)
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Other details:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Pruning Groups:
Group 3 - Summer/Fall bloomers; prune hard in early spring
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
By grafting
By serpentine layering
Seed Collecting:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
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
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
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:
Pelham, Alabama
Anchorage, Alaska
Sherwood, Arkansas
San Leandro, California
Sebastopol, California
Chiefland, Florida
Cochran, Georgia
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Cherry Valley, Illinois
Hanna City, Illinois
Mattoon, Illinois
Milan, Illinois
Michigan City, Indiana
Atalissa, Iowa
Louisville, Kentucky(2 reports)
Taylorsville, Kentucky
Covington, Louisiana
Gardiner, Maine
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Townsend, Massachusetts
Wayzata, Minnesota
Missoula, Montana
Polson, Montana
Salem, New Hampshire
Freehold, New Jersey
Bosque, New Mexico
Mesilla Park, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Southold, New York
Apex, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Eugene, Oregon
Sherwood, Oregon
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Clarksville, Tennessee
Hixson, Tennessee
Houston, Texas
Irving, Texas
Lewisville, Texas
Orange, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
South Burlington, Vermont
South Woodstock, Vermont
Fircrest, Washington
South Hill, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Cheyenne, Wyoming
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On May 4, 2020, BostonPlanted from Boston, MA (Zone 5b) wrote: I had planted Rooguchi clematis as a kid at my parents house. It was planted in an ill-fated rose garden in a hot dry completely exposed area of the yard. Fifteen years later, only 2 rugosa roses survived in that badly neglected grass-filled garden... and both Rooguchis. I revived the garden and both rooguchis are thriving. Everyone comments on the “pretty blue bells”. I now plant rooguchi clematis everywhere, letting them sprawl through roses and perennials. The winters here take care of pruning for me. I just cut away the dead vines in early spring. |
Positive | On Jul 4, 2016, Janice_in_VT from South Woodstock, VT wrote: This vine is thriving on a stone wall in the rose garden at The Fells, the historic Newbury, NH home of John Hay, secretary to President Lincoln, whose grandson was the naturalist of the same name. This garden, I understand, is not an exact replica of the original garden on the estate. It is beautiful in this setting, alongside a climbing hydrangea petiolaris. I saw it two days ago, July 2, and I hope to grow it myself. |
Positive | On Jun 4, 2016, judithbeach from Cheyenne, WY wrote: I have 2 of these vines in Cheyenne Wy. I prune them to the ground in late fall. One is 5 yrs old; the other 4. They are huge and already have flower buds (June 4). I tie them to bamboo stakes & the older is already sprawled all over the ground. I fertilize them with rose fertilizer. |
Positive | On Mar 7, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: This is the most continuously blooming clematis I know, blooming nonstop from early summer till frost. |
Positive | On May 22, 2013, sladeofsky from Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) wrote: I absolutely adore this Clematis. It is a deep purple that looks best with a brighter companion, especially roses. It doesn't climb by tendrils, but it does look for vertical support and will grasp other plants or trellises with its leaf stems. It can grow rather large but is easily managed. It blooms in such profusion. It is truly a must have. From Japan, like so many great Clematis, especially those including American species. It gets it's bell shaped flowers from our native reticulata. Some say C. durandii is in the parentage which would mean there are 3 distinct species in its past, the third being C. lanuginosa which may account for it having slightly larger flowers than either it's C. integrifolia or C. reticulata parents. |
Positive | On Sep 23, 2012, lbuyer from Michigan City, IN (Zone 6a) wrote: I've been growing this clematis since spring 2007 and I simply love it. It starts to bloom in the spring and continues right through to early fall. The bells are a lovely color and a welcome change from the big, gaudy, flat-faced hybrids with their seeming delicacy (in actuality, however, they seem tough as nails). I grow numerous other Clematis (Niobe, Jackmanii, Etoile Violette, Ville de Lyon) and, while they come and go, they always have rooguchi for a blooming companion (and its colors blend beautifully with everything). |
Positive | On Aug 23, 2012, JCG from Anchorage, AK wrote: Here in Anchorage Alaska my ROOGUCHI is 12 foot tall and is literally covered with blossoms and buds..It overwintered with no problems..Loving it.. |
Positive | On Feb 15, 2010, bfmayer70 from Buffalo, NY wrote: Our Rooguchi plants thrive in Buffalo, New York, with very little care. Their blossoms are unique, and very colorful, and produce very pretty seedheads. The only problem we have is with powdery mildew - the Rooguchi seems to be particularly susceptable. |
Positive | On Nov 17, 2009, mwburlin from Philadelphia, PA (Zone 7a) wrote: Have planted this on an 8 ft arbor covered with wisteria. The rooguchi intertwines with the wisteria and blooms all summer. Doesn't cross the arbor arch portion but is lush to the top on sun drenched east side. bumble bees love the flowers which are profuse. Easy to strip out and prune ( group 3). |
Positive | On Apr 19, 2008, Taranado from Milan, IL wrote: I have 3 of these and maybe it depends on where you live, but I prune it back every year. I did not do that the first year and it barely grew. Now it's thriving, and was 6 feet tall last year. I found all of mine on eBay, that's where I discovered it. It really does attract humming birds too. In the summer when this is blooming I have counted 8 to 10 humming birds at one time. |
Positive | On Jun 1, 2006, doss from Stanford, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: Clematis Rooguchi is herbacious meaning that it doesn't climb by tendrils. This makes it a great flower for scrambling through perennial gardens. You can still help it climb but it won't choke your plants if you let it wander among low shrubs, roses, or other plants. |
Positive | On Sep 29, 2004, cceamore from Hixson, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: I love this clematis because it has the longest bloom period I have ever seen for a clematis.It is a beautiful bell shaped dark purple flower with a royal purple/blue pattern on outside of petal. |