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Clematis tangutica

Phonetic Spelling
KLEM-ah-tiss tan-GOO-tik-uh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Golden bell clematis is a deciduous, climbing, perennial vine with delicate yellow flowers that point downward and produces a mass of feathery seed heads that look a bit like an old man's beard, hence another common name, old man’s beard clematis. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family and is native to the temperate region of central Asia. Its scientific name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems. 

Golden bell clematis is a rapid grower and can reach 12 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide when planted  in full sun. Provide the root area with mulch or ground cover plants to provide shade. It will also grow in partial shade. It is not particular about soil texture but does require the soil to have a neutral to alkaline pH and good drainage. It is drought tolerant. Propagate by seed. Prune hard in late winter; cut back to a pair of strong buds above 1 foot. Prune less severely if early spring flowers are desired. 

As a vine, clematis is recommended for vertical spaces such as a fence or a rock wall. It can be used to create a seasonal privacy screen. Its showy, fragrant, tubular flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a good addition to a butterfly or pollinator garden. Consider it as a specimen or mass planting in an Asian or cottage garden. 

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

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:
  • 'Helios'
    small-flowered, coconut-scented variety, 2"-4" in diameter
'Helios'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#tubular flowers#fall interest#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#moist soil#well-drained soil#trellises#summer flowers#deer resistant#feathery#lantern#tall#self-seeding#pollinator plant#Asian garden#poor soils tolerant#showy seedheads#garden walls#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#patio#fence
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Helios'
    small-flowered, coconut-scented variety, 2"-4" in diameter
'Helios'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#tubular flowers#fall interest#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#moist soil#well-drained soil#trellises#summer flowers#deer resistant#feathery#lantern#tall#self-seeding#pollinator plant#Asian garden#poor soils tolerant#showy seedheads#garden walls#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#patio#fence
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clematis
    Species:
    tangutica
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central temperate Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    This plant has many small, dry fruits (each with a silky-plumose tail). Seedheads are fluffy, silvery, and highly ornamental.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Trumpet
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    6 petals/rays
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow flowers point downward resembling small bells. Its flowers have 4-8 petal-like parts of various colors and many stamens, usually solitary on long stalks (3-6" long)
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Cuneate
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Denticulate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are pinnate to bipinnate and medium green. Lanceolate to oblong leaflets (to 2 1/3” long) have acute tips, tiny toothed margins, and cuneate to subcordate bases.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slightly downy stems 3-6 " long
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Clematis can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers if eaten. Toxic to dogs, cats, horses. Clinical signs are salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. In humans, symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Fatalities are rare, due to the rapid and intense bitter taste and mouth irritation from eating. Gastric lavage is recommended and anti-inflammatory to soothe irritated tissue. Contact dermatitis results in skin redness and burning sensation for some people, gardening gloves are recommended.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    protoanemonin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice