Scarlet Clematis Clematis texensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Clematis coccinea
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss teck-SEN-sis
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Texas clematis is a woody, deciduous, perennial, twining vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that is native to the southeastern Edwards Plateau in Texas, where it can be found on limestone cliffs, rocky slopes, and along stream beds. The species epithet is Latin for “of Texas.”
Plant it in a site that receives dappled sunlight to partial shade and in loamy, sandy, or shallow rocky soils with a neutral to alkaline pH. This clematis flowers on new growth so it should be pruned in late spring (Type 3). Propagate by seed or stem cutting.
Its scarlet, bell-shaped flowers bloom from summer to frost and are followed by showy fruits. It is drought tolerant and has a better density than most clematis.
A rapid grower, Texas clematis can be trained to climb up a fence, arbor, or trellis, or to cover rock walls. At a mature height of 6 to 9 feet and width of 2 to 3 feet, it is a great choice for small spaces and cottage or rock gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew, stem rot, and wilt may occur.
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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- 'Duchess of Albany'
Tulip-shaped flowers 2" in length, deep pink outside and pale pink within - 'Gravetye Beauty'
Ruby red on the outside, crimson inside, pale pink stripes on the outer edges - 'Princess Diana'
Red outside, inside is pale pink at margins and vividly pink along midrib
- 'Duchess of Albany'
- 'Duchess of Albany', 'Gravetye Beauty', 'Princess Diana'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Duchess of Albany'
Tulip-shaped flowers 2" in length, deep pink outside and pale pink within - 'Gravetye Beauty'
Ruby red on the outside, crimson inside, pale pink stripes on the outer edges - 'Princess Diana'
Red outside, inside is pale pink at margins and vividly pink along midrib
- 'Duchess of Albany'
- 'Duchess of Albany', 'Gravetye Beauty', 'Princess Diana'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- texensis
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Tea made from dried, chopped stems has been used for headaches, particularly migraines.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- southeastern Edwards Plateau in Texas
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought tolerant; may be less frequently damaged by deer
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- This plant has many small, dry fruits (each with a silky-plumose tail).
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The tulip or bell-shaped flowers have 4-8 (rarely more than 4) petal-like parts of various colors and many stamens. The petals are thick, leather-like, sepals. The outer side of the tepals can be anything from deep red to orange red, and the inner side is most frequently creamy yellow or pink-red.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are grayish-green pinnate to bi-pinate, 2 1/2" long with ovate leaflets which are often twisted and acting as tendrils.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are bare and woody for the first two ft. They reach up to 9 ft and twine around supports by leaf petioles.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Rock Wall
- Small Space
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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
