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
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Sweet Autumn Clematis is easy to grow and can become invasive due to a rampant growth habit in addition to self-seeding. Prune aggressively in fall or early spring. This plant may be less frequently damaged by deer than other clematis species (hybrids).
The pinwheel flowers are fragrant and white with 4 petal-like parts and many stamens. The seed heads are feathery in appearance. Grow on a trellis or a fence. This belongs to pruning Group 3.
This plant is considered invasive in some states surrounding NC. 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:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
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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:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- 3b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Plume-like seed heads.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Rock Wall
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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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