Clematis x hybrida
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss HY-brid-ah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Clematis hybrids are woody, perennial, twining vines in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). They are derived from two, large-flowered clematises (themselves likely hybrids of unknown parentage) that arrived in England in the late 19th century from China. They were used by nurserymen for crossing to make large-flowered hybrids that could be grown commercially. The species epithet is Latin for “hybrid.”
Clematis hybrids prefer clay, loam, or sandy soils with a pH near 7. Keep the soil cool (by mulching or overplanting), evenly moist, and well-drained. The clematis hybrids tolerate partial shade but will flower best in full sun. They are in the Type 2 pruning group and should be pruned lightly in late winter. Propagate by stem cuttings.
There are hundreds of clematis hybrids that bloom spring, summer and fall in shades of blue, pink, red, white, purple, yellow, cream and bi-colors. During a single growing season, a large-flowered hybrid may produce over 100 star- or saucer-shaped blossoms ranging in size from 4 to 10 inches in diameter. The flowers may be single, double or semi-double.
Clematis hybrids are weak climbers and may perform best as an interesting ground cover in a naturalized area, a garden accent or specimen, a container plant, or even a houseplant. Their flowers are showy, fragrant and long-blooming.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests of clematis vary from slugs and earwigs to deer and rabbits (herbivores eat only young shoots, which have not yet developed the toxin).
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:
- Courtyard Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Barbara Harrington'
Large (5") purple red flowers with gold stamens - 'Edith'
4-6" white/cream/silver blossoms with red anthers - 'Henryi'
Pure white 6-8" flowers - 'Marcelina'
Overlapping dark violet sepals with a broad violet central bar - 'Moniuszko'
Deep violet flowers with 8 tepals with wavy edges. Violet anthers on creamy .filaments - 'Nelly Moser'
Star shaped pink-lilac flowers (to 8") with deeper pink stripe and reddish-pink anthers - 'Sapphire Indigo'
- 'The President'
large (up to 7") star-shaped violet-blue flowers with white/pink/red anthers
- 'Barbara Harrington'
- 'Barbara Harrington', 'Edith', 'Henryi', 'Marcelina', 'Moniuszko', 'Nelly Moser', 'Sapphire Indigo', 'The President'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Barbara Harrington'
Large (5") purple red flowers with gold stamens - 'Edith'
4-6" white/cream/silver blossoms with red anthers - 'Henryi'
Pure white 6-8" flowers - 'Marcelina'
Overlapping dark violet sepals with a broad violet central bar - 'Moniuszko'
Deep violet flowers with 8 tepals with wavy edges. Violet anthers on creamy .filaments - 'Nelly Moser'
Star shaped pink-lilac flowers (to 8") with deeper pink stripe and reddish-pink anthers - 'Sapphire Indigo'
- 'The President'
large (up to 7") star-shaped violet-blue flowers with white/pink/red anthers
- 'Barbara Harrington'
- 'Barbara Harrington', 'Edith', 'Henryi', 'Marcelina', 'Moniuszko', 'Nelly Moser', 'Sapphire Indigo', 'The President'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- hybrida
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Hybrid origin
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Dense
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 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, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Aggregate
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- This plant has many small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail. Fruit looks like spiral threads in the form a circle.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Star
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 6 petals/rays
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- They bloom in late spring to early summer but often again in late summer to early fall. Flowers have 4-8 petal-like parts of various colors, shapes, and sizes, all with many stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, pinnately divided, and are slightly heart-shaped (pointed on one side).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- 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:
- CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. (Poisonous through dermatitis, ingestion, or inhalation. Poisonous parts: All species are toxic, all parts). Symptoms may include: Burning sensation of mouth and mouth ulcers; skin redness and burning sensation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- protoanemonin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems