Mountain Clematis Clematis montana
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss mon-TAY-nah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Mountain clematis is a woody perennial twining vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that hails from the Himalayas to Taiwan and China. The species epithet is Latin for “of mountains” and refers to the species’ home.
It is easy to grow when placed in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, soil high in organic matter with a neutral to basic pH. Depending upon the support structure, it can climb 16 to 40 feet high and spread 8 to 15 feet wide. Mulch the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist. It blooms on previous season's growth, so prune after flowering (Type 1). Propagate by layering or stem cutting.
Its star-shaped flowers cascade down the vine and come in blue, pinks, and purple. This plant's vanilla fragrance fills the air and makes it a great addition to a patio or walkway where the fragrance can be enjoyed. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, so be sure to consider it for a pollinator garden.
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:
-
- 'Alba'
- 'Alexander'
- 'Elizabeth'
Single, pale pink flowers 2-3" across - 'Freda'
Single, cherry pink flowers 2" across - 'Gothenburg'
- 'Lilacina'
Lilac violet-colored flowers up to 6" across - 'Marjorie'
Abundant, semi-double flowers with creamy-white outer petals, becoming pink;
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Alexander', 'Elizabeth', 'Freda', 'Gothenburg', 'Lilacina', 'Marjorie'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
- 'Alexander'
- 'Elizabeth'
Single, pale pink flowers 2-3" across - 'Freda'
Single, cherry pink flowers 2" across - 'Gothenburg'
- 'Lilacina'
Lilac violet-colored flowers up to 6" across - 'Marjorie'
Abundant, semi-double flowers with creamy-white outer petals, becoming pink;
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Alexander', 'Elizabeth', 'Freda', 'Gothenburg', 'Lilacina', 'Marjorie'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- montana
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Himalayas to Taiwan and China
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the nectar in the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is less frequently damaged by deer than other clematis species.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 16 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 3- to 4-inch flowers appear late spring to early summer with 4 to 8 sepals of various colors with many stamens.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Compound leaves with ovate leaflets that vary in shape depending on the cultivar.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- 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
