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Scarlet Leatherflower 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

Texas clematis is a woody, deciduous, perennial, twining vine in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family that is native to the southeastern Edwards Plateau in Texas where it can be found on limestone cliffs, rocky slopes, and along stream beds. Its name derives from the Greek word klÄ“matis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems. 

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. Clematis is a heavy feeder; provide it with a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season. 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. Tea made from dried, chopped stems has been used for headaches, particularly migraines.

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. 

 

 

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See this plant in the following landscape:
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', 'Gravetye Beauty', 'Princess Diana'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#small spaces#drought tolerant#fall flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#riparian#fall interest#rabbit resistant#moist soil#fast growing#well-drained soil#trellises#climbing vines#neutral pH#summer flowers#deer resistant#glossy leaves#scarlet flowers#lantern#alkaline soils tolerant#leathery leaves#showy seedheads#rocky soils tolerant#garden walls#arbor#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#bell-shaped flowers#fence
 
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', 'Gravetye Beauty', 'Princess Diana'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#small spaces#drought tolerant#fall flowers#pink flowers#shade garden#riparian#fall interest#rabbit resistant#moist soil#fast growing#well-drained soil#trellises#climbing vines#neutral pH#summer flowers#deer resistant#glossy leaves#scarlet flowers#lantern#alkaline soils tolerant#leathery leaves#showy seedheads#rocky soils tolerant#garden walls#arbor#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#bell-shaped flowers#fence
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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