Clematis
clematis and leatherflowers
Temperate Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Overview
Clematis spp. is a genus of about 300 species in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, made up mostly of woody climbing vines with a smaller number of herbaceous perennials, spread across the temperate Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Climbing species hold on by wrapping their leaf stalks around thin supports and reach 1–9 m (3–30 ft). The flowers lack true petals; what looks like petals are colored sepals, usually four to eight, in white, purple, blue, pink, red, or yellow. Flower form ranges from flat, wide stars 5–20 cm (2–8 in) across in the large-flowered hybrids to small nodding bells and urns in the leatherflower group. After bloom, the seeds carry long, feathery, silvery tails that form rounded, whiskered heads lasting into winter. The leaves and sap contain protoanemonin, which can irritate skin and causes mouth and stomach upset if eaten. Most species need their roots cool and shaded while the top grows in sun. Pruning needs vary by group, and cutting at the wrong time removes the coming season's flowers.
Native Range
The genus is widespread across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with major centers in China and Japan, and additional species in Europe, North America, Australasia, and the mountains of Africa.Suggested Uses
Used on trellises, arbors, fences, and through shrubs and small trees, with herbaceous species grown as scramblers in borders. The vines cover vertical structures and the seed heads add winter texture. The toxic sap and group-specific pruning limit casual use.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 30'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering spans spring through autumn depending on the group, with early species blooming in April and May, large-flowered hybrids in early and late summer, and some species into October. Many produce a main flush followed by lighter repeat bloom. The feathery seed heads extend interest after the flowers fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white, purple, blue, pink, red, or yellowFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Most species grow in full sun to part shade with the roots kept cool and moist under mulch or low planting, in fertile, well-drained soil at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Hardiness spans USDA zones 3–9 across the genus, with wide variation between species. Plants need a support to climb and fasten themselves only by their leaf stalks. Clematis wilt, a fungal dieback, collapses stems of large-flowered hybrids without warning, though plants usually resprout from the base. The genus splits into three pruning groups based on bloom time, and matching the cut to the group is the main demand of growing them. Steady moisture supports the long bloom.Pruning
Spring-flowering species are pruned lightly just after bloom, as they flower on the previous year's wood. Early-summer large-flowered hybrids are trimmed to strong buds in late winter. Late-flowering species, which bloom on new wood, are cut back hard to 30 cm (12 in) in late winter.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
wintersummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons