The Vagabond Clematis Plants

• Variety: The Vagabond, pruning group 2 – dark flowers, compact habit, long season
• Latin name: Clematis 'The Vagabond'
• Flower: Purple-violet with a darker red-purple bar, 12–15cm across
• Scent: None
• Climbing method: Leaf-stalk tendril climber
• Height: To 2m
• Flowering: May–June, repeating August–October
• Pruning group: Group 2 – light prune in February
• Planting depth: Plant 8–10cm below pot level
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• RHS AGM: No
• 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

The Vagabond Clematis – Dark, Compact, and Flowers for Months

The Vagabond is one of those clematis that earns its space twice over. The first flush arrives in May and June — big, purple-violet flowers with a deeper red-purple bar running down each tepal, 12–15cm across and dark enough to look almost black in evening light. Then it pauses, gathers itself, and produces a second flush from August through October. Between the two displays, you get nearly six months of value from a plant that tops out at about 2m.

That modest height makes it more versatile than the 4-metre monsters. The Vagabond works on a fence panel, an obelisk in a border, a large container on a sunny patio, or trained through a medium-sized shrub. It is compact enough to share a support with another clematis without one swallowing the other.

Dark Flowers, Bright Companions

The deep purple-violet colour needs lighter tones around it to avoid disappearing into the shadows. Train The Vagabond alongside Guernsey Cream (creamy-white, Group 2, similar height) for a pairing where the cream makes the purple glow and the purple gives the cream definition. For summer succession, add Ernest Markham (vivid magenta-red, Group 3) on the same wall — as The Vagabond's first flush fades, Ernest Markham is just getting started. Plant white roses or silver-leafed perennials at ground level to reflect light back into those dark blooms.

Why Ashridge?

We grow The Vagabond ourselves from cuttings in peat-free compost with biological controls. Every plant is guaranteed. Delivered by next-day courier, backed by our Which? Best Plant Supplier award and a Somerset-based team who genuinely know these plants. See the full clematis range.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I prune The Vagabond?

In February, lightly. Cut back to the first pair of strong buds from the top of each stem. The first flush comes on last year's wood, so a hard prune would remove those spring flowers. The autumn repeat comes on new growth regardless. Our clematis pruning guide explains the groups.

Can The Vagabond grow in a container?

Well suited to pots. At 2m it stays manageable on a patio obelisk, and the compact habit means it won't overwhelm a container. Use a pot at least 40cm across, plant 8–10cm below the compost surface, and feed fortnightly from April. Water regularly — clematis in pots dry out faster than those in the ground.

How deep should I plant The Vagabond?

Plant 8–10cm below pot level. This encourages underground buds that can regenerate the plant if wilt or accidental damage strikes the top growth. See our planting depth guide.

Is The Vagabond susceptible to clematis wilt?

Like all large-flowered hybrids, it carries some wilt risk. Deep planting is the main defence — a plant with buds 10cm underground can regrow even after a total wilt episode. For completely wilt-proof clematis, the viticella group (Étoile Violette, Polish Spirit) is the safe choice.

Does The Vagabond flower twice?

Two distinct displays. The first in May–June on last year's wood, the second from August to October on new growth. The autumn show is lighter but genuine, and it extends the season well into the period when most clematis have finished. Keep the plant fed and watered through July to support that second flush.