Armand Clematis Clematis armandi
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss ar-MOND-ee
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Armand clematis is a woody, perennial vine that climbs by twining petioles. It is a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Its native region is central and south China to Burma. The species epithet honors Catholic missionary and naturalist Armand David (1826–1900), who explored China and sent back hundreds of natural history specimens to Europe.
Armand clematis prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, organically rich soil with good drainage and a neutral pH. It is intolerant of wet soils. A layer of mulch will help to keep the roots cool and moist. Feed it with a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season. The plants are propagated by division or stem cutting.
It should be grown with support, against a lattice or trellis. The vine can be quite aggressive in its growth, reaching 15 to 30 feet high and 10 to 15 feet wide but is relatively easy to keep in bounds with periodic pruning. Armand clematis blooms on old wood, so prune it after flowering (Type 1). This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which makes it a great addition to butterfly and pollinator gardens.
It is recommended for Asian, winter, and cottage gardens. Let it climb a rock wall or other vertical space, even trees in a woodland garden. With good support, it serves as an attractive, living privacy screen.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaflets are long, leathery, and droopy.
- Large clusters of star-shaped flowers bloom in late winter.
- Flowers have a vanilla-like fragrance.
- Woody evergreen vine with opposite, ternately compound leaves
- Persistent achenes are plumed, in clusters
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:
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- 'Apple Blossom'
Pink tinge to the flowers - 'Hendersonii Rubra'
Pink flowers - 'Snowdrift'
Pure white flowers
- 'Apple Blossom'
- 'Apple Blossom', 'Hendersonii Rubra', 'Snowdrift'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apple Blossom'
Pink tinge to the flowers - 'Hendersonii Rubra'
Pink flowers - 'Snowdrift'
Pure white flowers
- 'Apple Blossom'
- 'Apple Blossom', 'Hendersonii Rubra', 'Snowdrift'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- armandi
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & S. China to N. Myanmar (Burma)
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Many small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail. An achene, with long, persistent, plumed style, in clusters.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White, fragrant flowers with 4-8 petal-like parts and many stamens. A dense panicle on the previous year's growth. (2-15) white or cream tinted pink, fragrant, spreading, 2-2.5" dia; petals 0; sepals (4-7) narrow oblong, approximately 1".
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Each compound stem has 3 leaflets that are 3-6 inches long and 1 inch wide, glossy and leathery and cascade downward. Opposite, ternately compound; leaflets to 15 cm, oblong-lanceolate to ovate, acute, rotund to cordate, glabrous, coriaceous, prominently veined, emerging bronze, then glossy dark green.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Rock Wall
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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-
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