Clematis tangutica
Common Name(s):
- 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 produce 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 buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and is native to the temperate region of central Asia. The epithet indicates this species is from the region of central China that was the ancient kingdom of Tangut.
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 (Type 2); 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'
- 'Helios'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Helios'
small-flowered, coconut-scented variety, 2"-4" in diameter
- 'Helios'
- 'Helios'
- Tags:
-
-
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:
- Perennial
- 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 to 8 petal-like sepals and many stamens, usually solitary on long stalks (3 to 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
- Pollinators
- 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
