Ground Virginsbower Clematis recta
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss REK-tuh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Bush clematis is a deciduous, perennial vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is native to eastern, southern, and central Europe to the Caucasus. The epithet is Latin for “upright” and refers to the upright habit of this vine.
Plant in full sun to partial shade and in moist, well-drained soil. The best flowering will occur in full sun. A hard pruning is recommended in early spring (Type 3). It is resistant to black walnut as well as deer and rabbits.
Bush clematis grows to a maximum height of 6 feet and width of 4 feet and needs the support of a trellis or other plants; otherwise, it sprawls on the ground. The showy, fragrant, white flowers contain many stamens, and many small, dry fruits, each with a silky-plumose tail that adds interest in a fall garden.
It is ideal for a border where it can be supported by other plants, in a container on a patio, or in a woodland where it can sprawl. Also use it in a butterfly, cottage, or pollinator garden where it will attract bees, butterflies, and songbirds.
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:
-
- 'Lime Close'
dark purple, nearly black foliage that ages to green, white, narrow-petaled flower - 'Purpurea'
3/4" diameter, fragrant, white fringed flowers in late spring to early summer
- 'Lime Close'
- 'Lime Close', 'Purpurea'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lime Close'
dark purple, nearly black foliage that ages to green, white, narrow-petaled flower - 'Purpurea'
3/4" diameter, fragrant, white fringed flowers in late spring to early summer
- 'Lime Close'
- 'Lime Close', 'Purpurea'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- recta
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern, Southern, Central Europe to Caucasus
- Distribution:
- Northern US states and southern Canadian provinces
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
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)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- 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, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are dark brown, smooth, orbicular, much compressed, tails long yellowish, plumose;
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 6 petals/rays
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Milky white and fragrant, flowers with 4-8 petal-like parts
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- purple new leaves that green slightly as they mature; pinnately divided; leaflets five to nine pubescent underneath, petioled.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- 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
