Clematis ochroleuca
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Coriflora ochroleuca
- Viorna ochroleuca
- Viorna ovata
- Phonetic Spelling
- klem-AH-tiss owk-roh-LEW-ka
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Curlyhead clematis is a native, woody, perennial sub-shrub in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family and found in dry woodland, sandy grasslands, rocks, or disturbed sites in the eastern United States and the piedmont of North Carolina. It has a neat habit, growing 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Its name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to the fragile stems.
Plant in full sun to partial shade and in moist to occasionally dry, well-drained soils. It is especially difficult to propagate by cuttings, so save the seed.
The fuzzy, pendulous, solitary, bell-shaped flowers occur in April to June, and the seed heads that follow are quite ornamental. The flowers attract bees.
Curlyhead clematis looks at home in native or rock gardens, woodlands, or perennial borders.
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:
-
- 'Bald Knob'
Creamy white fuzzy flowers
- 'Bald Knob'
- 'Bald Knob'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bald Knob'
Creamy white fuzzy flowers
- 'Bald Knob'
- 'Bald Knob'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- ochroleuca
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- GA , NC , NY , SC , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees are attracted to the flowers.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 3 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Seedheads look like fuzzy curly whorls and are available August-September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pendulous fuzzy yellow-white to cream colored bells with purple tones that bloom April-June
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Ovate green leaves with entire margins
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
