Clematis drummondii (Old Man's Beard Clematis)

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Clematis, Genus, drummondii, Species,

Genus & species

old Man's beard clematis

Ranunculaceae

southwestern United States and northern Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Clematis drummondii is a deciduous, climbing vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), scrambling 9–30 feet (2.7–9 m) over fences, shrubs, and small trees by means of twisting leaf stalks. Its compound leaves carry five to seven coarsely lobed or toothed leaflets on wiry, much-branched stems. The plant is dioecious, with separate male and female vines; both bear small creamy-white flowers about 0.8 inch (2 cm) across, lacking true petals and made up of four narrow sepals, from late spring through autumn. After bloom, the female flowers develop into rounded clusters of seeds, each tipped with a long, silvery, feathery plume 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long; massed together these silken heads give the plant its common name, old man's beard. It grows on dry slopes, brushland, fencerows, and streambanks across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. All parts contain protoanemonin, which can irritate skin and the mouth and cause stomach upset if eaten. The vine grows vigorously and can smother supporting shrubs if left unmanaged.

Native Range

Clematis drummondii is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, from Texas and New Mexico into Arizona and south through much of northern and central Mexico. It is common along fencerows, brushy slopes, and dry watercourses in this region.

Suggested Uses

Clematis drummondii is used to cover fences, arbors, and trellises and to screen on dry sites where a tough native climber is wanted. Its feathery seed heads add silvery texture in late summer and fall. It is kept away from small shrubs it might overgrow.

How to Identify

Identify Clematis drummondii by its climbing, much-branched stems and compound leaves of five to seven lobed leaflets that clasp supports with bending stalks. The small creamy-white flowers have four narrow sepals and no true petals. The clearest mark is the seed head: dense clusters of feathery, silvery plumes 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long that persist after the leaves drop, unlike the smaller plumes of C. ligusticifolia.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height9' - 30'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Flowers: May–September

Spring Summer Fall

Creamy-white flowers open over a long season from May into September, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Bloom continues for several months as new growth extends. Female vines follow flowering with the silvery plumed seed heads that hold into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0 (Neutral to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Clematis drummondii grows in full sun to part shade on dry, well-drained sandy or rocky soils and needs little water once established. It tolerates heat, drought, and poor ground, and climbs quickly over any nearby support. It is cut back hard to control its spread, since it can overwhelm shrubs and small trees. Because all parts contain an irritant compound, the cut stems and sap can redden skin. It is grown from seed or from softwood cuttings and needs a sturdy structure to climb.

Pruning

The vine is cut back hard in late winter to limit its spread and renew growth; it flowers on new wood, so hard pruning does not cost the season's bloom. Dead and tangled stems are removed at the same time. Spent plumed seed heads can be left for winter interest or sheared off to reduce self-seeding.