Plant DetailShow Menu

Clematis viticella is often confused with:
Cobaea scandens leaves and flower
Native alternative(s) for Clematis viticella:
Clematis crispa Clematis crispa
Clematis viorna Clematis viorna
Clematis virginiana White four petaled flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Clematis hybrida Clematis 'marcelina' late large flowered
Clematis texensis Clematis texensis
Clematis x jackmanii Clematis x jackmanii
Clematis viticella has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants

Clematis viticella

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
KLEM-ah-tiss vy-tee-CHELL-uh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Italian clematis is a deciduous or evergreen vine in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family native from southern Europe to Asia. Its name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems.

Plant in full sun but provide shade for the roots. Good draining moist soils with neutral to alkaline pH are ideal. Italian clematis blooms on new wood so severely prune it back to about 1 foot tall in early spring. Propagate by layering or stem cutting. This cultivar is highly resistant to clematis wilt. 

Italian clematis grows rapidly to a height of 10 to 15 feet and a width of 3 to 5 feet. It has a long bloom season from summer to fall boasting showy deep purple flowers with many yellow stamens. The flowers are followed by attractive small, dry fruits each with a silky, feathery tail. 

This plant is a great climber and can be trained to grow on an arbor, along a fence, rock wall, or other vertical space. It can spread along the ground in a woodland or naturalized area, spill out of a container placed on a patio, or provide a backdrop in a cottage or English garden. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids may attack young growth. Slugs, snails, and voles may damage young roots. Plants are susceptible to powdery mildew. 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Abundance'
    Light pink flower and produces masses of blooms from July - Sept
  • 'Alba Luxurians'
    Fast growing white flower with green twist at edge of sepals
  • 'Emilia Plater'
    Light mauve-blue flowers with a darker central bar on each tepal
  • 'Polish Spirit'
    Purple-blue flowers from mid-summer to early autumn, vigorous grower
'Abundance', 'Alba Luxurians', 'Emilia Plater', 'Polish Spirit'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fall flowers#easy to grow#purple flowers#pink flowers#climbing#fall interest#cottage garden#disease resistant#fast growing#trellises#summer flowers#large flowers#vibrant#exotic looking#English garden#twining vine#vine#arbor#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#fence#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Abundance'
    Light pink flower and produces masses of blooms from July - Sept
  • 'Alba Luxurians'
    Fast growing white flower with green twist at edge of sepals
  • 'Emilia Plater'
    Light mauve-blue flowers with a darker central bar on each tepal
  • 'Polish Spirit'
    Purple-blue flowers from mid-summer to early autumn, vigorous grower
'Abundance', 'Alba Luxurians', 'Emilia Plater', 'Polish Spirit'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fall flowers#easy to grow#purple flowers#pink flowers#climbing#fall interest#cottage garden#disease resistant#fast growing#trellises#summer flowers#large flowers#vibrant#exotic looking#English garden#twining vine#vine#arbor#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#fence#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clematis
    Species:
    viticella
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Europe to Asia
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to clematis wilt
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Small, dry fruits (each with a silky-plumose tail). It has whorled seed heads.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Purple flowers in mid to late summer with 4-8 petal-like parts 3" across on new wood, so severely prune in early spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate and pinnately divided.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    All species are toxic-- and all parts are toxic. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Poisonous through dermatitis, ingestion, and inhalation. Symptoms include a burning sensation of mouth and mouth ulcers; skin redness and burning sensation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    protoanemonin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems