Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Stand by Me Pink Clematis: Rose Bells for a Cottage Border
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Stand by Me Pink bush clematis covers itself in nodding, bell-shaped flowers in medium rose pink with slightly paler edges. Dark purple buds open to four reflexed sepals, and blooms begin in late May, peak in early summer and keep appearing through late summer before feathery cream seed heads take over.
Pink bells beside purple lavender spikes is a cottage-garden pairing that never goes out of style.
Stand by Me Pink at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Clematis 'Stand by Me Pink' |
| Flowers | Nodding rose pink bells, about 1.5 inches |
| Foliage | Medium green, broad and oval |
| Size | 38 to 42 inches tall, 24 to 26 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks early to mid-June, repeats through late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 7 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Good for pollinators; moderately deer resistant |
A taller, slimmer bush clematis
Stand by Me Pink grows a little taller and narrower than its blue and lavender siblings, at 3 to 3½ feet tall and about two feet wide. That slim shape makes it easy to tuck into a cottage border behind lavender without taking up much ground. Its pink bells hang above lavender's purple spikes in June, and because it keeps blooming through late summer, it adds color after the lavender harvest too.
Its one difference from lavender is water. It likes regular moisture and slightly richer soil, so place it at the edge of the lavender planting or in a neighboring bed, and water it at the base. Mulching its roots keeps them cool without affecting the lavender nearby. Map the layout in the Companion Plant Planner.
Season-by-season care
- Early spring: cut last year's stems to a few inches if you did not in fall, then set a peony cage or stakes over the crown.
- Late spring: blooms begin in late May. Guide the leaning stems through the support.
- Summer: water regularly and give afternoon shade in hot, dry sites. Space for airflow to limit leaf spot and powdery mildew.
- Late summer: enjoy repeat flowers, then the silky seed heads.
- Late fall: stems die to the ground; the crown is hardy in Michigan in well-drained soil.
Root and crown rot in soggy soil is the main risk. Wear gloves when handling it, since clematis sap can irritate skin.
Fresh bouquets
The flowers are good for cutting and bring a graceful, dangling line to arrangements. Rose pink bells with fresh lavender and a few white daisies make a classic cottage bouquet. Seed heads are fair for drying. Plan a cutting row with the Cut Flower Planner.
Bare root format
Stand by Me Pink is offered as a bare root plant. Plant the crown just below the soil surface and water it in well. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it bloom?
From late May, peaking in early summer, with flowers continuing through late summer.
How is it different from the blue Stand by Me?
It has rose pink flowers and a slightly taller, narrower habit, about 3 to 3½ feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Does it need a trellis?
No. It does not climb. A peony cage or neighboring plants are enough to hold it up.
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