Clematis aristata
Australian clematis
Overview
Clematis aristata is a woody, evergreen climber that scrambles into the forest canopy to 5 m (16 ft) or more using twining leaf stalks. The compound leaves are divided into three leaflets, each 3-8 cm (1.2-3 in) long, glossy dark green with toothed margins. The species is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. In spring, masses of white star-shaped flowers appear, each 2-5 cm (0.8-2 in) across with four narrow, pointed, petal-like sepals and no true petals. Female plants follow flowering with clusters of seeds bearing long, silvery, feathery plumes that persist for weeks and give the common name. It grows in wet sclerophyll forest, gullies, and rainforest margins in moist, fertile soils. The twining leaf stalks anchor the stems to supports. Limitation: the stems can climb over and shade smaller plants, and all parts are acrid and irritant if chewed.
Native Range
Eastern and southern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. It grows in wet sclerophyll forest, gullies, and rainforest margins.Suggested Uses
Grown on fences, pergolas, and trellises and through shrubs in native, woodland, and habitat gardens. It suits shaded, moist positions where the silvery seed heads add late-season interest.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 26'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
White star-shaped flowers open in spring, mainly September to November, in profuse sprays on male and female plants. Flowering lasts several weeks. Female plants then carry silvery plumed seed heads through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-7 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