The Great Clematis Debate: President vs. People in gardens all over the world are arguing about one of the most important questions of our time: which clematis variety is better, The President or Jackmanii? These two popular vines are very different in important ways that make each one shine in its own right. Let’s get to the bottom of this clematis rivalry and end it for good!
The Contenders
First, a quick introduction to our two contenders:
Clematis “The President” is a bushy, free-flowering clematis that has rich, velvety purple flowers. People say that it blooms for a long time, from late spring to early fall. This variety grows 6-8 feet tall.
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ – The classic vibrant purple clematis that can reach impressive heights of 10-12 feet. Jackmanii is cherished for its abundant mid to late summer blooms and vigorous habit.
Now let’s compare these two clematis heavyweights across some key factors
Flower PowerIn terms of sheer flower production, Jackmanii certainly has an edge. Its profuse, 4-6 inch blooms will blanket the vine in a sea of rich purple. The President puts up a good show as well, especially for its smaller size, but Jackmanii is hard to beat when it comes to flower count.
Winner: Jackmanii
Color of the Flower: The President’s flowers are a very deep, velvety purple, while Jackmanii’s are a lighter violet-purple. The President’s flowers have a royal quality that matches their name.
Winner: The President
Flowering Season: Jackmanii flowers for a few months in the summer, but The President really shines when it blooms from late spring to early fall. This means that The President can shine for up to six months!
Winner: The President
Plant Size
When it comes to vigor and final size, Jackmanii is the definite winner. It can easily reach 10-12 feet in a single season. The President tops out around 8 feet, making it better suited to smaller spaces. However, Jackmanii’s mammoth size can be a downside if you don’t have the room to let it run wild.
Winner: Jackmanii
Hardiness
These varieties match up closely when it comes to hardiness. Both handle cold equally well, thriving in USDA Zones 4-9. However, The President may have a slight advantage in hot climates, tolerating heat a bit better than Jackmanii.
Winner: The President
Pruning Needs
Here’s another category where The President pulls ahead. As a Group 2 clematis, it only requires light pruning to shape the vine and encourage new growth. Jackmanii is a Group 3 that needs hard pruning annually to really thrive. The President’s easier care gives it an edge.
Winner: The President
Visual Impact
If you’re looking for a showstopper vine to make a bold statement, Jackmanii is unmatched. Its enormous purple flowers can’t be ignored! The President has a more refined, tailored presence suited to formal gardens.
Winner: Jackmanii
Fragrance
Unfortunately, neither of these clematis varieties are fragrant. For perfumed blooms, try options like Clematis montana or Clematis viticella ‘Étoile Violette’.
Winner: Draw
Growth Habit
When given proper support, Jackmanii will grow vigorously in almost any direction. The President exhibits a bit more discriminating growth, generally favoring upward climbing.
Winner: The President
Availability
As two of the most popular varieties, both Jackmanii and The President are widely available at garden centers and online retailers. Jackmanii enjoys a slight edge in availability due to its common status.
Winner: Jackmanii
The Final Verdict
After comparing these two clematis champions, there is no definitive winner. Each variety has strengths that make it an excellent choice depending on your needs:
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ is the people’s choice, beloved for its sheer floral show, vigor, and availability. It’s hard to go wrong with this classic beauty.
Clematis ‘The President’ brings refined flowers, a long bloom season, compact size, and easy care to the garden. It’s ideal for the selective gardener.
The choice between the two often comes down to space considerations. If you’ve got unlimited room for growth, go with Jackmanii. For smaller areas, The President is likely the better fit. Fortunately, both are fine options for any garden.
To bring out the best of both worlds, try combining these two clematis varieties together! Plant Jackmanii to blanket fences and arbors while The President adorns columns and smaller structures with its regal blooms. The contrast of flower forms and colors will be stunning.
The great clematis debate wages on, but the truth is any clematis gracing your garden space will be a joy. Let your unique needs and style guide you to pick the right variety or varieties for your landscape. With proper care, these flowering vines will soon be spilling over with beauty.
The President or Jackmanii? We may never agree on a definitive winner in this clematis face-off, but all gardeners can agree these classic vines deserve a spot in the landscape. Happy planting!
Clematis Sweet Autumn
If you’re looking for a fragrant clematis vine that blooms late in the season, Clematis Sweet Autumn is a fantastic choice.
- Small, star-shaped white flowers that smell great are grouped together.
- It grows quickly and hardily, getting up to 20 feet tall.
- Care Instructions: Cut it back to 12 inches in late winter to keep it from growing too tall and make sure it blooms a lot.
Sweet Autumn Clematis is ideal for creating a charming, aromatic garden ambiance. Plant it along fences or garden structures for a delightful fragrance throughout late summer and fall.
Why These Clematis Varieties Stand Out
These five clematis varieties were selected for their unique characteristics, adaptability, and beauty. These clematis vines can be used to make a statement or a peaceful, flower-filled retreat. They have something for every gardener. Explore more stunning options like Clematis Candy Stripe or Clematis Multi-Blue to enhance your garden.
Clematis season is here!
FAQ
What kind of clematis is the president?
Clematis ‘The President’ (Early Large-Flowered Clematis) One of the most popular Clematis, ‘The President’ is a deciduous vine that gets covered with a profusion of impressively large star-shaped flowers, up to 7 in. (18 cm), in shades of rich violet-blue, with 8 overlapping sepals that are silver beneath.
Which clematis has the longest flowering season?
Blooming from June through September, ‘Roguchi’ is one of the longest blooming clematis we carry. This lax clinger can reach heights of 6-9 feet tall, and has a slight fragrance. Free flowering and hardy in zones 4-8, ‘Roguchi’ attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to its bell-shaped blooms.
How long does the president Clematis bloom?
‘The President’ has large, 7″, blueish-purple flowers with red anthers that profusely blooms from May through September. Flowers grow on both new and old growth, while showy seed heads develop in the fall.
Which is the most beautiful clematis?
| Rating | Clematis | Flower color |
|---|---|---|
| ★★★ | ‘Black Prince’ (v) | Deep red-purple |
| ★★★★ | Blue Angel™ (‘Blekitny Aniol’) | Pale rosy blue |
| ★★★★ | ‘Blue Belle’ (v) | Deep violet-blue |
| ★★★ | Bonanza™ (‘Evipo031’) | Purple-blue |