Nelly Moser Climbing Clematis Plants

• Variety: Nelly Moser, pruning group 2 – the bicolour for shade
• Latin name: Clematis 'Nelly Moser'
• Flower: Pale pink with deep carmine bar
• Scent: Mild
• Climbing method: Leaf-stalk tendril climber
• Height: To 3m
• Flowering: May–June, repeat September
• Pruning group: 2 – light prune in February or March, removing dead and weak stems down to the first strong pair of buds
• Planting depth: Plant 8–10cm below pot level
• Hardiness: H6 (fully hardy)
• RHS AGM: Yes (confirmed December 2024)
• Sold as: P9 and 3L deep pots, grown from cuttings by us. Peat-free compost
• Plant outdoors: Year-round
• Delivered: March–November typically. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Clematis Nelly Moser – A Shade-Loving Classic

Nelly Moser is a large-flowered clematis where each pale rose-pink petal is marked with a bold carmine bar from top to bottom. The contrast gives the flowers a star shape you notice from quite a distance away. Stamens open wine-red, softening to creamy yellow as the flower ages. Even compared with more modern varieties, this is still a world class clematis. It flowers fit to bust in May and June, takes a short rest, and then the second flush in September is almost as good as the first. It has held the RHS Award of Garden Merit since the original trials in the 1930s which says it all.

The colouring is best in partial shade; strong sun bleaches the pink and dulls the bar. We find the flowers on branches that stray into full sun, end up bleached almost white. So if you need a Clematis for a north-facing wall then Nelly Moser ought to be near the top of your list. She is equally good on a shaded fence, or the side of a house that gets morning light but no afternoon heat. Unlike most large-flowered clematis, which need sun to perform well, this one actively prefers the places they dislike. At 3m it will cover a trellis, a pillar, or an arch without becoming unmanageable. As a Group 2 clematis, Nelly Moser flowers on old wood first so the early blooms appear low down where you can see them properly.

A Moser Family Original

Marcel Moser bred Nelly Moser in 1897 at his nursery in Versailles, naming it after his wife. The Moser family were prolific plant breeders in Europe, introducing dozens of clematis and lilac cultivars that are still sold today. Nelly Moser was one of the earliest large-flowered clematis bred with contrasting coloured bars. The pattern it established (pale ground, dark central stripe) has been repeated in dozens of varieties since. Few have matched the original's combination of vigour, reliability, and sheer quantity of flower.

What to Plant with Nelly Moser

The classic pairing is a clematis growing through a climbing rose, and our Nelly is ideal for this. Plant at the base of an established rose, something warm-toned like Compassion or Schoolgirl from our list of climbing roses, and let the clematis clamber through the rose. The pink clematis against copper-apricot rose flowers is a combination that has been winning medals at Chelsea for decades. For a succession of clematis on the same wall, follow Nelly Moser's May flush with a late-season viticella like Étoile Violette, whose deep purple flowers take over from July until September. If you want another bicolour for a different spot, Bees Jubilee has a similar character but in softer tones and it shares Nelly Moser's preference for some shade. An excellent way to add interest to a planting and to shade the roots at the same time is to plant lavender (Hidcote or Munstead) around the base.

Grown Here, Sent to You

Your Nelly Moser was propagated from cuttings from our own stock plants here at the nursery in Castle Cary, Somerset. Our staff took those cuttings, potted them on, and grew them into the plants you buy. Some of the same people pack your order and others answer the phone when you call. We use peat-free compost throughout with biological pest controls in our propagating area. Feefo Platinum Partner, Which? Gardening Best Buy, and every plant is guaranteed. Browse the full range of Ashridge clematis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What clematis pruning group is Nelly Moser?

Group 2, so prune lightly in February or March working from the top of each stem downward until you reach a strong pair of buds. Then cut just above them and remove any dead or damaged growth entirely at the same time. Remember the huge May flowering flush comes on wood grown the previous year, and hard pruning removes them. Our clematis growing guide covers this in gory detail.

How deep should I plant Nelly Moser clematis?

Plant the top of the root ball 8–10cm below the surrounding soil level. Deep planting encourages shoots from below ground, so the plant can regenerate if top growth is lost to clematis wilt or accident. For full instructions see our clematis planting depth guide.

Does Nelly Moser clematis need full sun?

No, and in fact it does better without it. Strong sun bleaches the pink petals and fades the carmine bar. A north-facing or east-facing wall is ideal: morning light with afternoon shade. Nelly Moser is one of the best large-flowered clematis for positions many climbers would rather avoid. See our guide to climbing plants for shade for more varieties that thrive with limited direct sunlight.

Is Nelly Moser resistant to clematis wilt?

Large-flowered clematis like Nelly Moser are more susceptible to wilt than the species types and viticella varieties, but deep planting is effective insurance. A deeply planted clematis can lose all its top growth and still push new shoots from the buried crown. If stems collapse suddenly, cut to ground level, dispose of the material, and clean your secateurs. If wilt-resistance is a priority, consider a viticella such as Polish Spirit, which is virtually immune.

When does Nelly Moser flower?

The main flush runs from late May through June, with flowers appearing on stems grown the previous year. After a rest in midsummer there is a second flush in September on the current season's growth. The repeat is lighter than the first but still generous, especially if you deadheaded after the first flush.

Should I deadhead Nelly Moser clematis?

Yes, after the first flush finishes in June. Removing the spent flowers stops the plant putting energy into seed production and redirects it into the growth that carries the September repeat. You do not need to deadhead the second flush; leave the decorative seedheads to stand through winter. They catch frost attractively and provide a bit of structure when everything else has died back.

Images supplied by Clematis on the Web.