Boulevard Nubia Clematis
Boulevard Nubia Clematis
Deep Ruby-Red Blooms All Summer on a Compact Patio Clematis
Boulevard Nubia Clematis (Clematis 'Nubia', Boulevard™ series) is a compact, free-flowering patio clematis that pumps out rich ruby-red blooms with creamy centers from early summer to fall. Bred to stay short and bushy, it's made for containers and small trellises rather than swallowing an arbor, and it's zone 4 hardy with the usual clematis preference: top in the sun, roots in cool shade. Whether you're dressing a patio pot in Edina, climbing a deck-rail trellis in Maple Grove, or filling a tight corner in Woodbury — Boulevard Nubia brings months of red to zone 4b–5a yards.
Boulevard Nubia Clematis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clematis 'Nubia' (Boulevard™ / Evipo079) |
| Plant Type | Compact deciduous flowering vine |
| Mature Height | 3–4 feet (with support) |
| Mature Spread | 2–3 feet |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade (6+ hours for best bloom); keep the roots cool and shaded |
| Water | Moderate — consistent moisture in well-draining soil; water containers often |
| USDA Zones | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost |
| Pruning Group | Group 3 (cut back hard in early spring); blooms on new wood |
| Bloom | Deep ruby-red flowers, early summer through fall |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4; mulch the crown the first winter |
Boulevard Nubia Clematis Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Patio containers
This is what the Boulevard series was bred for — a large pot with a built-in obelisk or trellis on a sunny patio in Plymouth or Eden Prairie. Its compact habit keeps it tidy all season.
Small trellises and rails
Train it up a deck rail, narrow lattice, or doorway trellis where a full-size clematis would be too rangy.
Long-season color and pollinators
Because it blooms on new wood, the red flowers keep coming for months, and bees work them through summer.
Best Time to Plant Boulevard Nubia Clematis in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–September) are both excellent. Avoid summer heat, and never plant after mid-October — frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Boulevard Nubia Clematis
- Site it so the top gets sun but the roots stay cool and shaded — "head in the sun, feet in the shade."
- Dig 2–3× the root ball width and set the plant 2–3 inches deeper than it grew in the pot to guard against clematis wilt.
- Backfill with native soil plus 20–30% compost; for containers use a quality potting mix. Water in well.
- Install the support at planting and tie young stems to start them climbing.
- Mulch 2–3 inches over the root zone; keep mulch off the stems.
Watering Boulevard Nubia Clematis in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly; containers may need water every 1–2 days in summer heat
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water deeply during dry spells. Container plants dry out fast — check them daily in summer and keep evenly moist.
How do I prune Boulevard Nubia?
It's a Group 3 clematis — the easy kind. In early spring, cut the whole plant back to about 12 inches above the ground. It blooms on new wood, so this hard cut just resets it for a fresh flush.
Can I grow it in a pot over winter in Minnesota?
Roots in above-ground pots are far more exposed to cold. For best survival, sink the pot in the ground, move it to an unheated garage, or plant it in the landscape before winter.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
In the ground, yes — hardy to zone 4. Mulch the crown the first winter or two.
You May Also Like
- Boulevard Sacha Clematis — blue-purple patio clematis from the same compact series
- Rebecca Clematis — vivid red, full-size Group 3 climber
- Ville de Lyon Clematis — carmine-red, vigorous Group 3 vine