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Clematis Clematis

Phonetic Spelling
KLEM-ah-tiss
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Clematis are perennials in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) some of which are climbers and others are spreading subshrubs or groundcovers. There are nearly 400 species and many more cultivars and hybrids. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. The genus name derives from the Greek word klÄ“matis, meaning broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems. 

Depending upon the species and the support structure, they can grow to 1 to 18 feet long. They prefer full sun, with afternoon shade in areas with hot summers. Shade the roots with mulch or a ground cover planting. Moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH is recommended. Clematis is deep-rooted, so water thoroughly. Clematis is a heavy feeder; provide it with a low nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season.

Pruning depends on whether they bloom on old wood or new wood. Growers recognize three groups of vining clematis, generally called Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3.

  • Type 1: These clematis set flower buds on old wood and bloom in early spring. These do not require regular pruning, but damaged stems should be removed any time immediately after flowering has finished. Example: C. montana.
  • Type 2: These clematis bloom on old and new wood and flower in late spring. Light pruning (to shape or contain the vine) should be accomplished in late winter or early spring when the buds begin to swell. Examples: All large-flowered hybrids like C. × jackmanii and C. × hybrida
  • Type 3: These are clematis that bloom on new wood and flower in summer or fall. This group includes the non-vining herbaceous perennial clematis. They can be cut nearly to the ground in late winter to encourage new stems from the crown. Examples: C. texensis and C. recta.

Stems are fragile and should be handled gently. The plants may be propagated by division, layering, or stem cutting. Large-flowered hybrids can have flowers up to 7 inches wide. Clematis flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; other birds may nest in the vines. The plants are deer- and rabbit-resistant. 

Use clematis in Asian, butterfly, cottage and pollinator gardens. They are also suitable for containers, naturalized areas, vertical spaces or woodlands. 

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 landscapes:
Courtyard Garden Flower Bonanza Garden Colorful Borders Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Sunken Pond Garden Daylilies Galore, Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Blue Explosion', 'Cezanne', Clematis armandii, Clematis cirrhosa, Clematis crispa, Clematis glaucophylla, Clematis integrifolia, Clematis montana, Clematis ochroleuca, Clematis paniculata, Clematis recta, Clematis tangutica, Clematis terniflora, Clematis texensis, Clematis viorna, Clematis virginiana, Clematis viticella, Clematis x hybrida, Clematis x jackmanii, 'Filigree', 'Fireworks', 'Guernsey Cream', 'Matka Urszula Ledochowska', 'Rooguchi Sapphire'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#blue flowers#shade garden#apvg#fall interest#cottage garden#moist soil#NC native#spreading#rich soils#climbing vines#neutral pH#summer flowers#lavender flowers#glossy leaves#self-seeding#spring interest#alkaline soils tolerant#leathery leaves#Asian garden#vertical spaces#wet soils tolerant#vine#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#apvg-vg#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#container plant#perennial#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Blue Explosion', 'Cezanne', Clematis armandii, Clematis cirrhosa, Clematis crispa, Clematis glaucophylla, Clematis integrifolia, Clematis montana, Clematis ochroleuca, Clematis paniculata, Clematis recta, Clematis tangutica, Clematis terniflora, Clematis texensis, Clematis viorna, Clematis virginiana, Clematis viticella, Clematis x hybrida, Clematis x jackmanii, 'Filigree', 'Fireworks', 'Guernsey Cream', 'Matka Urszula Ledochowska', 'Rooguchi Sapphire'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#blue flowers#shade garden#apvg#fall interest#cottage garden#moist soil#NC native#spreading#rich soils#climbing vines#neutral pH#summer flowers#lavender flowers#glossy leaves#self-seeding#spring interest#alkaline soils tolerant#leathery leaves#Asian garden#vertical spaces#wet soils tolerant#vine#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#apvg-vg#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#container plant#perennial#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clematis
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Clematis species have been traditionally used in several cultures for their anti-inflammatory effects.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    N. America, Europe, India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand
    Distribution:
    temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere
    Wildlife Value:
    Clematis leaves are food for the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including the willow beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria). Varieties attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other birds may nest in the vines.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    many small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Star
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    flowers with 4-8 petal-like parts of various colors, many stamens
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Deltoid
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    leaves alternate, pinnately divided
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    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