As clematises go, Nelly Moser might be considered a classic. It is widely grown and has been so for a number of years. When well grown, it blooms heavily in the spring and reblooms later with fewer blossoms. Unfortunately, the flowers fade quickly, but it is still very attractive. It can be pruned moderately in early spring and lightly after spring bloom.

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First clematis to bloom in my garden. Grows in semi shady condition. I am always amazed at how large the flowers are.

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I don't know anything about Clematises, but I've planted a few over the years, and 'Nelly Moser' is the only one that has survived and does well here in my zone 9b garden. I've seen really beautiful "Clems" in northern gardens and was so happy to finally find one that will grow in hot, humid Florida! I'm sure 'Nelly Moser' probably performs better in cooler climates, but I'm just happy it's still growing and doing okay in my garden. It was originally planted in full shade beneath a large Schefflera tree, but the winter of 2009/2010 killed the tree, and this Clematis still seems to be happy in full sun. I keep a thick layer of mulch in the flower bed, which helps to keep the roots cool during the heat of summer, but I may end up transplanting it to another shady area because the sun seems to fade the blooms, and I think the blooms are more vivid and much prettier when the plant is grown in shade. I read that this particular Clematis blooms on old canes, so it's never been pruned. It blooms from mid-March through April here in my garden and I consider it an easy, low-maintenance plant.

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Clematis 'Nelly Moser' is beautiful and long-lived, but the flowering period is not very long.

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