Warsaw Nike Clematis
Warsaw Nike Clematis
Deep Velvety Royal-Purple Blooms All Summer
Warsaw Nike Clematis (Clematis 'Warszawska Nike') is one of the richest purples you can grow — large, velvety royal-purple flowers with golden-yellow stamens that seem to glow against the dark petals, blooming from early summer to fall. A vigorous, award-winning Polish hybrid, it climbs fences 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 dressing an arbor in Edina, covering a fence in Maple Grove, or climbing a post in Woodbury — Warsaw Nike brings jewel-toned purple to zone 4b–5a yards.
Warsaw Nike Clematis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' |
| 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 | Large velvety royal-purple flowers with gold stamens, early summer through fall |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4; mulch the crown the first winter |
Warsaw Nike Clematis Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Fences, arbors, and pergolas
Vigorous and tall, it covers a structure well in Plymouth. Give it thin supports its leaf stems can twine around.
Jewel-tone pairings
Its deep purple is stunning beside golden foliage, white flowers, or hot-pink clematis in Eden Prairie.
Cut flowers and pollinators
The rich blooms are excellent cut, and the gold-centered flowers draw bees all summer.
Best Time to Plant Warsaw Nike 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 Warsaw Nike 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 Warsaw Nike 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 Warsaw Nike?
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.
How do I keep the purple so dark?
The color is naturally deep and fairly sun-stable; a touch of afternoon shade keeps it richest and the gold centers brightest.
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
- Jackmanii Clematis — the classic velvety purple, Group 3
- Jackmanii Superba Clematis — broader-petaled deep purple
- The President Clematis — rich purple-blue, Group 2