Traveller's Joy Clematis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Clematis like to grow in full sun, with afternoon shade in hot summer areas. However, roots should be shaded by mulch or groundcover. Clematis prefer moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, Clematis is deep-rooted, so water thoroughly. Stems are fragile and should be handled gently.
Clematis are divided into pruning groups:
Group 1 plants bloom on old wood and require no pruning except to control the size, in which case prune lightly after flowering back to a pair of healthy buds.
Group 2 plants bloom first on old wood and then again on new; prune lightly in early spring to shape and remove weak growth and then prune after bloom if desired.
Group 3 – plant flowers only on new wood and can be cut to the ground in fall or spring.
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 Sea of Daylilies Flower Bonanza Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue explosion'
- 'Filigree'
- Fireworks
- 'Blue explosion'
- 'Blue explosion', 'Filigree', Fireworks
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue explosion'
- 'Filigree'
- Fireworks
- 'Blue explosion'
- 'Blue explosion', 'Filigree', Fireworks
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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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:
- 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:
- 3b, 3a, 4b, 4a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- many small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- 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
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-
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
- 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
