Kinds of Purple-Flowering, Almond-Smelling Clematis
Many clematis are deciduous climbers, but the family also has non-vining kinds that develop much more like herbaceous perennials. A couple of varieties are evergreen. While many clematis varieties are aromatic, especially those with smaller blooms, the scent of almonds is strongest from the evergreen varieties, such as C. armandii and C. vitalba, that have white flowers and blossom in early March. Just a few deciduous purple-flowered types have an almond scent. The fragrance of all varieties is strongest when planted in full sun.
C. Triternata Rubromarginata
A small-flowered, vining clematis with purple and white flowers, this plant has flowers with a pronounced almond scent and is recognized among the most aromatic of all varieties. A vigorous, drought-tolerant climber, it attains 20 feet tall and covers itself with blooms in late summer.
C. x aromatica
Another strongly scented variety, C. x aromatica is just a non-twining type that grows to 6 feet. Its little, star-shaped flowers are deep purple with white stamens and look from June through September.
C. jackmanii
One of the very popular clematis varieties, C. jackmanii creates large, deep-purple flowers on vigorous vines that reach 20 feet. It covers itself with fragrant blooms from mid-July through early fall, and the smell is multiplied due to the mass of flowers.
C. integrifolia
A non-climbing variety, C. integrifolia contains little, blue-purple, bell-shaped blooms. It attains only 3 feet tall, making it a intelligent selection for containers. The flowers have a small almond fragrance and look from June through September. C. integrifolia “Jan Fopma” produces flowers with burgundy outer petals. It grows 5 feet tall.
C. heraclefolia ‘Wyevale’
C. heraclefolia is just a non-climbing type of clematis, and the cultivar “Wyevale” has light purple flowers whose petals turn backward. It is unusual because it flowers in clusters, unlike most clematis. The sweetly scented flowers appear from July through September on a plant which reaches just 3 feet tall.