Rebecca Clematis
Rebecca Clematis
Large, Glowing Velvety-Red Blooms All Summer
Rebecca Clematis (Clematis 'Rebecca') is one of the best true-red clematis ever bred — big 6–7 inch flowers of glowing velvety crimson with dark central stamens, blooming from early summer to fall. Named by the late breeder Raymond Evison for his daughter, it climbs trellises and arbors on a zone 4-hardy vine and uses the easy Group 3 pruning. Like all clematis, it wants its top in the sun and roots in cool shade. Whether you're lighting up an arbor in Edina, covering a fence in Maple Grove, or climbing a post in Woodbury — Rebecca brings rich red to zone 4b–5a yards.
Rebecca Clematis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clematis 'Rebecca' (Evipo016) |
| Plant Type | Deciduous flowering climbing vine |
| Mature Height | 6–8 feet (with support) |
| Mature Spread | 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 |
| 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 | Large velvety-red flowers, early summer through fall |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4; mulch the crown the first winter |
Rebecca Clematis Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Trellises, arbors, and fences
Its manageable height suits a doorway trellis, obelisk, or fence panel in Plymouth. Give it thin supports its leaf stems can twine around.
Bold red focal color
True red is rare in clematis — site Rebecca where the color carries, paired with white or blue clematis in Eden Prairie.
Cut flowers and pollinators
The glowing blooms are striking cut, and bees work them all summer.
Best Time to Plant Rebecca 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 Rebecca 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 Rebecca 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 Rebecca?
It's the easy Group 3 type — in early spring, cut the whole plant back to about 12 inches. It blooms on new wood, so this keeps it full and flowering from the base.
Does the red hold in the sun?
Rebecca's red is more sun-stable than many, but a little afternoon shade keeps it deepest and prevents fading.
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
- Cardinal Wyszynski Clematis — glowing crimson, Group 3
- Ville de Lyon Clematis — carmine-red, Group 3
- Pink Champagne Clematis — vivid deep-pink companion