Sweet Autumn Clematis 1
Sweet Autumn Clematis 1
Vigorous Late-Season Flowering Vine for Minnesota Gardens
Sweet Autumn Clematis 1 (Clematis 'Sweet Autumn') is a clematis hand-selected for the Twin Cities climate. Sweet Autumn Clematis: clouds of fragrant white flowers in September and October. Whether you're planting a shaded border in Wayzata, layering a foundation bed in Minneapolis, or anchoring a perennial bed in Woodbury — Sweet Autumn Clematis 1 performs reliably in zone 4b–5a yards.
Sweet Autumn Clematis 1 Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clematis 'Sweet Autumn' |
| Common Names | Clematis |
| Mature Height | 15–30 feet (vine length) |
| Mature Width | 3–6 feet |
| Growth Rate | Fast once established |
| Sun | Full sun (head); cool, shaded roots (root zone). |
| Water | Consistent moisture. Mulch deeply to keep root zone cool. |
| USDA Zones | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-drained, organic soil. Amend MN clay-loam with compost. |
| Foliage | Compound green leaves on twining vines. |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -30°F. |
| Deer Resistance | Moderately deer-resistant. |
| Bloom | Sweet Autumn Clematis: clouds of fragrant white flowers in September and October. |
| Bloom Time | Late summer to fall — fills a tough seasonal gap |
Sweet Autumn Clematis 1 Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Trellises and arbors
A vigorous vine to cover an arbor, trellis, or fence quickly. Plant at the base of the structure and let it climb.
Late-season pollinator support
September fragrance attracts late-season pollinators across Twin Cities yards.
Best Time to Plant Sweet Autumn Clematis 1 in Minnesota
Fall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).
Spring (late April–May) is the second-best window — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.
Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Sweet Autumn Clematis 1
- Dig wide, not deep. 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.
- Check drainage. Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain in 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan to improve drainage.
- Backfill with native soil + 20–30% compost. Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment but don't create a "container" of pure compost.
- Spacing. Refer to the mature width above and space accordingly. Closer for mass plantings, wider for individual specimen plants.
- Water basin. Build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove before winter to avoid ice damage.
- Mulch. 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk or crown. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate.
Watering Sweet Autumn Clematis 1 in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)
- Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
- Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches/month June–August)
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing late-season growth that gets killed by winter
After Year One
Established plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.
Will Sweet Autumn Clematis survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4.
How do I prune Sweet Autumn Clematis?
Cut back hard (to 12 inches) in early spring — it blooms on new wood, so hard pruning produces the best fall display.
You May Also Like
- Shop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards
- Deer-Resistant Plants — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie
- Pollinator Garden Plants — supports the Lawns to Legumes program
How Many Sweet Autumn Clematis Do I Need?
This is a very vigorous specimen vine — one plant quickly blankets a large arbor, pergola, or long fence. For a continuous screen, space plants about 6–8 feet apart:
| Fence / arbor run | Plants needed (8 ft apart) |
|---|---|
| 8 ft | 1–2 |
| 16 ft | 2–3 |
| 24 ft | 3–4 |
| 40 ft | 5–6 |
Sweet Autumn Clematis Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Regrows fast from the hard early-spring cut, covering its support in fresh green foliage.
- Summer: A lush leafy curtain builds all season on new wood.
- Fall: The signature show — clouds of small, sweetly fragrant white flowers in September and October, feeding late pollinators.
- Winter: Fluffy silver seed heads follow the flowers; cut the bare stems back in early spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant
Plant It With
- Jackmanii Clematis — a summer-purple clematis to bloom before the autumn show.
- Autumn Revolution Bittersweet — another vigorous vine with fall interest.
- Blue Moon Wisteria — a fragrant, hardy vine for a second big structure.
- Henryi Clematis — large white blooms to pair with the late white froth.
Is Sweet Autumn Clematis Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun with cool, shaded roots on rich, well-drained soil, smothering a sturdy arbor or fence in fragrant fall bloom. Not a fit for a small, tidy spot or a flimsy support — it's very vigorous and self-sows freely, so site it where you can manage its enthusiasm.