Armand Clematis Clematis armandii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss ar-MOND-ee-eye
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Clematis armandi is a deciduous or evergreen vine that climbs by twisting stems and petioles. It has shiny, dark green leaves with clusters of star-shaped white flowers that bloom in late winter with a vanilla-like fragrance. It blooms on old wood, so it should not be pruned until after flowering. The vine can be quite aggressive in its growth but is relatively easy to keep in bounds with periodic pruning. It should be grown with support, against a lattice or trellis.
This vine prefers full sun and cool roots in humusy moist soils. It is intolerant of wet soils. Mulch around the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist and give it winter protection in zone 7.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaflets are long, leathery and droopy
- Large white flowers are fragrant, in clusters
- Woody evergreen vine with opposite, ternately compound leaves
- Persistent achenes are plumed, in clusters
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:
-
- '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:
- armandii
- 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, 9b, 9a
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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
-
-
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
