Whiteleaf Leather Flower Clematis glaucophylla
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss glaw-koh-FIL-ah
- Description
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White-leaf leather flower is a lesser-known rhizomatous, perennial vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to southeastern North America. This species does not naturally occur in the Carolinas. It is found in forests, outcroppings, and along stream banks. The epithet is a compound of Latin words meaning “powdery white leaves.”
Grow in full sun to part shade and rich, moist, loamy soil, preferably acid to neutral. Because flowers bloom on new growth, choose to prune between fall and early spring (Type 3).
White-leaf leather flower climbs via twining, tendril-like petioles. It will reach up to 15 feet in length in optimal conditions. The showy bell-shaped flowers appear from late spring until early fall adding visual interest to a garden while providing a nectar source that benefits the native wildlife like bees and hummingbirds.
Plant along a slope, or in a vertical space supported by a trellis or arbor in a rock or pollinator garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major 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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- glaucophylla
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees and hummingbirds
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Aggregate
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Aggregate achenes with fine hairs and filaments that give the fruit a silvery, feathery appearance.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- What appear to be petals are actually four thick sepals fused into a bell-like shape. They are a reddish purple-pink on the outside and pale yellow-green on the inside, growing in axilary clusters of 1-3. Two bracts sit about 1/3 of the distance from the long flower stem's base (up to 6 inches long) and the flowers are just under an inch in size. Blooms from late spring to early fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are notable for functioning as tendrils– the petioles wind around support structures, the leaves growing from the tips. The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound with 4-10 leaflets, and glaucous on the underside. They are thin with non-reticulate veins and may be lobed or entire. Length may reach roughly 1-4 inches and width 1-3 inches.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green when young, turning reddish-brown as they age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
