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  Cobb County Extension Service

Fact Sheet on 

Rachel Swinford
Horticulture Program Assistant

email: uge1067@arches.uga.edu

Clematis hybrida
Large Flowered Clematis

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)

Native: Japan, China

Hardiness: Varies by species

Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

Uses: Trellises, rock walls, fences, arbors, over evergreen shrubs, up trees.

The genus clematis is made up of numerous species, most woody deciduous vines. In fact, the name clematis from the Greek means "vine." There are evergreen clematis as well. The twining plant produces showy flowers in many colors in a variety of seasons. Clematis flowers can be up to ten inches in diameter and as many as 100 blooms per season. Some are fragrant, most are not.

The most popular clematis grown today is the Clematis x jackmanii introduced in 1862 by the Jackman Nursery in Britain. Twenty years later, interest in the clematis died down, but today clematis is making a comeback in popularity.

This article is concerned only with the deciduous, large-flowered clematis that is the most popular. But, by all means, I encourage you to experiment with the many other forms of this multifaceted plant. Japanese Clematis (Clematis terniflora) has lacy flowers and showy fruit, but self-seeds and can be invasive. The Armand Clematis (Clematis armandii) is an evergreen that flowers in the spring and is perfect for trellises. The Tube Clematis (Clematis heracleifolia) which is non-vining and shrub-like in habit can put on a spectacular show of blooms in late spring and summer. For fall blooms, try Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis paniculata) with its clusters of small, fragrant white flowers.

Description:

Flower:

Depends on variety. Red, purple, blue, lavender or white. Large 2-10" diameter flowers solitary or few flowers in clusters or small flowers in profuse clusters. Single or double. Late spring through early summer.
 

Leaves:

Bright green, compound, 3-8 leaflets.
 

Stems:

Twining, woody stems, ridged, light brown.
 

Habit:

Twining vine, 8-15 feet tall on structure. Moderate to fast growth rate.

Planting & Maintenance:

Propagation:

Division, early summer; cuttings, early summer; layering in early spring. Can be started from seed, but generally do not come true to the parent.
 

Planting:

Fall is best. Potted and container plants have done well planted into late spring. Prepare large holes with a rich soil mix. Set the crown of the plant 2 to 3 inches below ground level. Water thoroughly. Mulch with 2 inches or more of pine straw, peat, leaf mold or similar materials.
 

Site:

Cool shade over roots, sun for top growth. Some varieties will flower well in light shade.
 

Water:

Moist, well-drained soil. Water deeply once per week when dry. Mulch to maintain a cool root environment.
 

Fertilization:

One tablespoon per square foot of 8-8-8, 6-12-6 or 5-10-5 in late March. Repeat at 6 week intervals through the growing season. Always water in thoroughly.
 

Pruning:

When established, prune vigorous growers heavily in late winter or early spring. Varieties which produce flowers on old wood or stems should be pruned only to remove dead, weak or crowded stems. Those that flower on current season’s growth may be pruned more heavily. Stems may be cut back to 12 to 18 inches from the ground.

Cultivars:

Henryi

Large, white cameo-like flowers. Vigorous grower.
 

Ramona

Lavender blue, profuse bloom. Rapid grower.
 

Comtesse de Bouchard

Satiny rose, gracefully curved petals.
 

Jackmani

Velvet purple flowers. Very vigorous, profuse bloom.
 

Mrs. Cholmondeley

Wisteria blue, profuse bloom.
 

The President

Deep blue.
 

Nelly Moser

Pale mauve with reddish markings.

Problems:

Mites

Faded dusty or yellowed leaves. Spray with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil or an insecticide as directed on label.
 

Aphids

Spray with a strong spray of water, insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, pyrethrins or an insecticide as directed on label.
 

Slugs

Handpick, set out a shallow container of beer, sprinkle surrounding earth with diatomaceous earth.
 

Whitefly

Spray with insecticidal soap, horticultural oils or an insecticide as directed on label.
 

Scales

Remove infected plant parts and spray with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil or an insecticide as directed on label.
 

Clematis borer

Damages roots and crowns, stunts plant. Cut out infested portions.
 

Stem rot, leaf spot

Wilt. Stems collapse and stem and leaves turn black. Remove the diseased stem below the wilted section. Plants usually recover.
 

Powdery mildew

White powdery growth on the leaves. Treat with a fungicide following directions. Increase ventilation if that is the cause.

Growing Clematis in North Georgia. Troy Keeble, Extension Horticulturist, Department of Agriculture, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, Leaflet 161, January 1974.

2001 GEORGIA Pest Control Handbook, Homeowner Edition, Special Bulletin 39. Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Landscape Plants of the Southeast. R. Gordon Halfacre and Anne R. Shawcroft.

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Michael A. Dirr, Department of Horticulture, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

 

Rachel Swinford
Horticulture Program Assistant

 

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

Leah Wilson 02/01