Pink Champagne Clematis
Pink Champagne Clematis
Vivid Deep-Pink Blooms Lit by Golden Centers
Pink Champagne Clematis (Clematis 'Kakio', sold as Pink Champagne) delivers some of the most saturated pink in the clematis world — large, deep magenta-pink flowers with paler bases and bright golden stamens. Vigorous and free-flowering, it blooms in late spring and reblooms through summer, climbing arbors and trellises on a zone 4-hardy vine that wants its top in the sun and roots in cool shade. Whether you're dressing an arbor in Edina, covering a fence in Maple Grove, or climbing a pergola in Woodbury — Pink Champagne brings electric pink to zone 4b–5a yards.
Pink Champagne Clematis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clematis 'Kakio' (Pink Champagne) |
| Plant Type | Deciduous flowering climbing vine |
| Mature Height | 8–12 feet (with support) |
| Mature Spread | 3–4 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 |
| USDA Zones | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost |
| Pruning Group | Group 2 — light prune in early spring; blooms on old and new wood |
| Bloom | Large vivid deep-pink flowers with golden stamens; late spring and again through summer |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4; mulch the crown the first winter |
Pink Champagne Clematis Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Arbors, fences, and pergolas
Vigorous and tall, it covers a structure quickly in Plymouth. Give it thin supports its leaf stems can twine around.
Bold color pairings
Its hot pink pops against blue or purple clematis and against silver or chartreuse foliage in Eden Prairie.
Cut flowers and pollinators
The big bright blooms are excellent cut, and bees visit both flushes.
Best Time to Plant Pink Champagne 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 Pink Champagne 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; firm gently and water in well.
- Install the support at planting and tie young stems to start them climbing.
- Mulch 2–3 inches over the root zone or shade the base with a low perennial; keep mulch off the stems.
Watering Pink Champagne 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; keep evenly moist but never waterlogged
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water deeply during dry spells, especially in summer heat. Deep roots and steady moisture keep it blooming.
How do I prune Pink Champagne?
It's a Group 2 clematis: in early spring, remove only dead or weak stems and trim lightly to strong buds. It's forgiving — a harder cut gives a later, lighter show on new wood.
Will the color fade in full sun?
The pink is strong but can lighten slightly in intense sun; a bit of afternoon shade keeps it vivid.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4. Mulch the crown the first winter or two; established plants need no protection.
You May Also Like
- Bees Jubilee Clematis — mauve-pink with a carmine bar
- Rebecca Clematis — vivid red companion
- Piilu Clematis — compact pink, often double