Ville de Lyon Clematis
Ville de Lyon Clematis
Glowing Carmine-Red Blooms with Golden Centers
Ville de Lyon Clematis (Clematis 'Ville de Lyon') is a beloved heirloom that pumps out glowing carmine-red flowers with creamy-gold stamens from midsummer to fall. The petals deepen toward the edges, giving each bloom a lit-from-within glow. Vigorous and easy, it climbs fences and arbors on a zone 4-hardy vine and uses the simple Group 3 pruning. Like all clematis, it wants its top in the sun and roots in cool shade. Whether you're covering a fence in Edina, climbing an arbor in Maple Grove, or scrambling up a post in Woodbury — Ville de Lyon brings warm red to zone 4b–5a yards.
Ville de Lyon Clematis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clematis 'Ville de Lyon' |
| 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 3 (cut back hard in early spring); blooms on new wood |
| Bloom | Glowing carmine-red flowers with gold stamens, midsummer through fall |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4; mulch the crown the first winter |
Ville de Lyon Clematis Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Fences, arbors, and pergolas
Vigorous enough to cover a structure fast in Plymouth. Give it thin supports its leaf stems can twine around. It tends to go bare at the base, so plant a low perennial in front to hide its ankles.
Scrambling through shrubs
Let it weave up through a shrub or evergreen for a second season of red in Eden Prairie.
Cut flowers and pollinators
The warm-red blooms are great cut, and bees work them all summer.
Best Time to Plant Ville de Lyon 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 Ville de Lyon 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 Ville de Lyon 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 Ville de Lyon?
It's the easy Group 3 type — in early spring, cut the whole plant back to about 12 inches. This keeps it full from the base rather than blooming only up top.
Why is it bare at the bottom?
Group 3 clematis naturally go leggy at the base. Cut it back each spring and plant a low perennial in front to cover the lower stems.
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
- Rebecca Clematis — vivid velvety red, Group 3
- Jackmanii Clematis — classic velvety purple companion
How Many Ville de Lyon Clematis Do I Need?
A vigorous full-size climber — one plant covers a fence section or arbor. To run it along a fence, space plants about 3 feet apart:
| Fence / arbor run | Plants needed (3 ft apart) |
|---|---|
| 6 ft | 2 |
| 9 ft | 3 |
| 12 ft | 4 |
| 15 ft | 5 |
Ville de Lyon Clematis Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Fresh growth surges from the hard early-spring cut.
- Summer: Glowing carmine-red, gold-centered flowers cover the vine from midsummer.
- Fall: Bloom continues into fall on new wood, then seed heads form.
- Winter: Cut back near the ground; bare for the season (an easy Group 3 type).
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant
Plant It With
- Cardinal Wyszynski Clematis — glowing crimson, another easy Group 3 red.
- Rebecca Clematis — vivid velvety red to deepen the theme.
- General Sikorski Clematis — mid-blue for a cool contrast.
- Jackmanii Clematis — classic velvety purple companion.
Is Ville de Lyon Clematis Right for Your Yard?
It thrives with its top in the sun, cool shaded roots, and rich, well-drained soil on a fence or arbor — plant a low perennial in front, since it naturally goes bare at the base. Not a fit in deep shade or without a slender support to twine around.