Plant DetailShow Menu

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. 

More information on Clematis.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apple Blossom'
    Pink tinge to the flowers
  • 'Hendersonii Rubra'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Snowdrift'
    Pure white flowers
'Apple Blossom', 'Hendersonii Rubra', 'Snowdrift'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#bronze#white flowers#pink flowers#tendrils#winter interest#cottage garden#year-round interest#aggressive#spreading#rich soils#climbing vines#neutral pH#deer resistant#cascading flowers#spring interest#pollinator plant#fantz#twining vine#Asian garden#vertical spaces#showy seedheads#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#perennial#fence#trellis
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apple Blossom'
    Pink tinge to the flowers
  • 'Hendersonii Rubra'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Snowdrift'
    Pure white flowers
'Apple Blossom', 'Hendersonii Rubra', 'Snowdrift'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#bronze#white flowers#pink flowers#tendrils#winter interest#cottage garden#year-round interest#aggressive#spreading#rich soils#climbing vines#neutral pH#deer resistant#cascading flowers#spring interest#pollinator plant#fantz#twining vine#Asian garden#vertical spaces#showy seedheads#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#perennial#fence#trellis
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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".
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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
  • 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