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Clematis recta

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

Bush clematis is a deciduous vine in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. This vine grows to a maximum height of 6 feet and width of 4 feet and needs the support of a trellis or other plants; otherwise it sprawls on the ground. It is native to eastern, southern, and central Europe to the Caucasus. The genus name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems.

Plant in full sun to partial shade and in moist, well drained soil. The best flowering will occur in full sun. A hard pruning is recommended in early spring. Clematis is a heavy feeder; provide it with a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season. It is resistant to black walnut, as well as deer and rabbits.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some if not all members of this genus are mildly poisonous. The report on toxicity given in the table below is based on the genus Clematis. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying.

The showy, fragrant, white flowers contain many stamens, and many small, dry fruits, each with a silky-plumose tail that adds interest in a fall garden. It is ideal for a border where it can be supported by other plants, in a container on a patio, or in a woodland where it can sprawl. Also use it in a butterfly, cottage, or pollinator garden where it will attract bees, butterflies, and songbirds.

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 landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lime Close'
    dark purple, nearly black foliage that ages to green, white, narrow-petaled flower
  • 'Purpurea'
    3/4" diameter, fragrant, white fringed flowers in late spring to early summer
'Lime Close', 'Purpurea'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shrub#slow growing#medicinal#fall interest#upright form#moist soil#well-drained soil#spreading#trellises#neutral pH#deer resistant#victorian garden#groundcover#border planting#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#vertical spaces#showy seedheads#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Lime Close'
    dark purple, nearly black foliage that ages to green, white, narrow-petaled flower
  • 'Purpurea'
    3/4" diameter, fragrant, white fringed flowers in late spring to early summer
'Lime Close', 'Purpurea'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shrub#slow growing#medicinal#fall interest#upright form#moist soil#well-drained soil#spreading#trellises#neutral pH#deer resistant#victorian garden#groundcover#border planting#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#vertical spaces#showy seedheads#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clematis
    Species:
    recta
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern, Southern, Central Europe to Caucasus
    Distribution:
    Northern US states and southern Canadian provinces
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds are dark brown, smooth, orbicular, much compressed, tails long yellowish, plumose;
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    6 petals/rays
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Milky white and fragrant, flowers with 4-8 petal-like parts
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    purple new leaves that green slightly as they mature; pinnately divided; leaflets five to nine pubescent underneath, petioled.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    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