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Sweet Autumn Clematis Clematis paniculata

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Sweet Autumn Clematis:

Previously known as:

  • Clematis indivisa
  • Clematis maximonowicziana
Phonetic Spelling
KLEM-ah-tiss pan-ik-yoo-LAY-tah
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Sweet autumn clematis is an aggressive, woody, perennial vine in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family and native to New Zealand. It grows rapidly in addition to self-seeding and is considered invasive in some states surrounding North Carolina.

It grows in full sun, dappled sunlight, or partial shade in moist soils with good drainage. This plant flowers only on new wood and can be cut to the ground in fall or spring.

The pinwheel flowers are fragrant and white with four petal-like parts and many stamens. The seed heads are feathery in appearance.  Flowers attract pollinators and songbirds use the vine as a nesting site.  This plant may be less frequently damaged by deer than other clematis species.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Self-seeds and grows aggressively. Consider a native alternative.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#shade garden#climbing#woody#cover plant#cottage garden#fast growing#aggressive#well-drained soil#spreading#cascading#deer resistant#glossy leaves#self-seeding#screening#twining vine#leathery leaves#nesting sites#vertical spaces#showy seedheads#layering#garden walls#bird friendly#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#weed#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#shade garden#climbing#woody#cover plant#cottage garden#fast growing#aggressive#well-drained soil#spreading#cascading#deer resistant#glossy leaves#self-seeding#screening#twining vine#leathery leaves#nesting sites#vertical spaces#showy seedheads#layering#garden walls#bird friendly#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#weed#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clematis
    Species:
    paniculata
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    New Zealand
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Birds build nests inside the vine.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Climbing
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Plume-like seed heads.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-inch white fragrant pinwheel flowers with 4 bracts that are petal-like and have many yellowish stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The 3-5 leaflets per stem are green, shiny and leathery textured.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • 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