Solitary Clematis Clematis integrifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss in-teg-ree-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Bush clematis is a shrubby herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to central Europe, Russia and China. The specific epithet is from the Latin for “entire leaf” and references the unlobed, undivided shape of the leaves.
Bush clematis is not fussy about pH but prefers a moist, well-drained, loamy soil high in organic matter. Select a site with full sun for best blooming; if the site is too shady, the plant may sprawl more and need staking. Mulch to keep the roots cool and to retain moisture. Hard pruning in early spring is recommended (Type 3). Propagate by division, seed, or stem cutting.Unlike many clematis, this plant does not climb. It has an upright, spreading habit. It will grow 1 to 3 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide. Plant it in a container, a meadow, or along a walkway. Add it to an Asian, cottage, or rock garden. Use it in a mass planting or a border. It attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Occasional scale insects, whiteflies, earwigs, and aphids. Wilt, powdery mildew, rust, fungal spots, and stem cankers may occur.
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:
-
- 'Alba'
Pure white flowers - 'Blue Ribbons'
large, 1.75" indigo blue flowers, up to three times larger than typical - 'Hanajina'
Purple; white; pink flowers - 'Rosea'
violet-rose, bell-shaped flowers are slightly scented and nodding - 'Rose Colored Glasses'
Purply pink flowers
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Blue Ribbons', 'Hanajina', 'Rosea', 'Rose Colored Glasses'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
Pure white flowers - 'Blue Ribbons'
large, 1.75" indigo blue flowers, up to three times larger than typical - 'Hanajina'
Purple; white; pink flowers - 'Rosea'
violet-rose, bell-shaped flowers are slightly scented and nodding - 'Rose Colored Glasses'
Purply pink flowers
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Blue Ribbons', 'Hanajina', 'Rosea', 'Rose Colored Glasses'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- integrifolia
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Europe to Russia and China
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts Pollinators, rarely browsed by herbivores
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- plumose, ornamentally-attractive, silvery-green seed head
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Solitary, nodding, bell-shaped flowers with slightly twisted violet to blue sepals and creamy white anthers.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are ovate to oblong, sessile, entire, conspicuously veined and form a dense clump.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- 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:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
