Italian Clematis Clematis viticella
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss vy-tee-CHELL-uh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Italian clematis is a deciduous or evergreen, perennial vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native from southern Europe to Asia. The specific epithet is Latin for “small vine.”
Plant in full sun but provide shade for the roots. Good draining moist soils with neutral to alkaline pH are ideal. Italian clematis blooms on new wood so severely prune it back to about 1 foot tall in late winter or early spring (Type 3). Propagate by layering or stem cutting. This species is highly resistant to clematis wilt.
Italian clematis grows rapidly to a height of 10 to 15 feet and a width of 3 to 5 feet. It has a long bloom season from summer to fall, boasting showy deep purple flowers with many yellow stamens. The flowers are followed by attractive small, dry fruits each with a silky, feathery tail.
This plant is a great climber and can be trained to grow on an arbor, along a fence, rock wall, or other vertical space. It can spread along the ground in a woodland or naturalized area, spill out of a container placed on a patio, or provide a backdrop in a cottage or English garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids may attack young growth. Slugs, snails, and voles may damage young roots. Plants are susceptible to powdery mildew.
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:
-
- 'Abundance'
Light pink flower and produces masses of blooms from July - Sept - 'Alba Luxurians'
Fast growing white flower with green twist at edge of sepals - 'Emilia Plater'
Light mauve-blue flowers with a darker central bar on each tepal - 'Polish Spirit'
Purple-blue flowers from mid-summer to early autumn, vigorous grower
- 'Abundance'
- 'Abundance', 'Alba Luxurians', 'Emilia Plater', 'Polish Spirit'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Abundance'
Light pink flower and produces masses of blooms from July - Sept - 'Alba Luxurians'
Fast growing white flower with green twist at edge of sepals - 'Emilia Plater'
Light mauve-blue flowers with a darker central bar on each tepal - 'Polish Spirit'
Purple-blue flowers from mid-summer to early autumn, vigorous grower
- 'Abundance'
- 'Abundance', 'Alba Luxurians', 'Emilia Plater', 'Polish Spirit'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- viticella
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Europe to Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to clematis wilt
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- 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 Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Small, dry fruits (each with a silky-plumose tail). It has whorled seed heads.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Purple flowers in mid to late summer with 4-8 petal-like parts 3" across on new wood, so severely prune in early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate and pinnately divided.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- 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:
- All species are toxic-- and all parts are toxic. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Poisonous through dermatitis, ingestion, and inhalation. Symptoms include a burning sensation of mouth and mouth ulcers; skin redness and burning sensation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- protoanemonin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
