Clematis

Family. Ranunculaceae.

Homeland. China, Japan.

Description. Clematis is a large group of delightful, flowering shrubs and vines in a wide variety of shapes and colors, the plants can be evergreen or deciduous. The stems are brown, become woody with age, often brittle, up to 6 m long. Long leaf petioles wrap around the support and help the plant climb up. The leaves are simple or palmately dissected, arranged oppositely or alternately, green, gray-green or blue-green. Depending on the variety, flowers appear from spring to autumn, flowering occurs 1 or 2 times a year, there are also continuously flowering varieties that delight with flowers from spring to autumn continuously. The color scheme is very diverse and includes pink, red, white, blue, burgundy, blue and purple shades. Flowers can be simple or double, up to 12 cm in diameter.

Height. The length of the shoots is up to 6 m.

Planting and care

Growing, pruning 

Long stems require support, so the liana is used for vertical landscaping of gazebos, trellises. All clematis are divided into 3 pruning groups.

Group 1. Species that bloom only on the shoots of the previous year - only dead and weak stems are cut after flowering, as well as lateral shoots, to maintain a neat shape.

Group 2: Varieties that bloom twice in spring and autumn need pruning to remain bushy and bloom profusely - cut long annual stems by about ¼ of their length in late winter or early spring. Second-year shoots are removed after flowering.

Group 3. Bloom only on the shoots of the current season, need radical pruning. All branches are cut at a height of 30 - 50 cm from ground level in February - March. Dead or weak stems are also removed.

How to transplant 

Domestic clematis grow very quickly and need annual replanting in spring. For large tub plants, the top layer of soil is changed annually.

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Sometimes propagated by seeds sown in autumn. Mature specimens are divided in spring. Long stems can be bent to the ground and covered with a thin layer of soil. Roots will appear near the leaf node. It can also be propagated by grafting and stem cuttings.

Feeding

Clematis prefer organic fertilizers, but you can also feed them with mineral fertilizers 2 times a month during the period of active growth - from spring to autumn. 

Diseases and pests 

Plants can rot if there is no drainage. When exposed to sunlight, the root collar gets burned. Leaf spotting. Fungal infections with high air humidity. 

Among the pests, the flower can be attacked by spider mites, aphids, and nematodes. When grown in open ground, plants can be attacked by mole crickets, slugs and snails, and caterpillars.

Containment temperature

In spring and summer, clematis can be kept indoors at normal room temperature; in the fall, place them in a cool place with a temperature of about 5 ° C so that the plant can rest and bloom profusely next season. Tolerates short frosts down to -6° C. 

Lighting

Vines love bright light, but the root system should be in the shade and cool. Leaves should receive at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Deciduous species do not need bright light during the dormant period.

Soil 

Representatives of the genus prefer moist, nutrient-rich and well-drained soil, rich in organic matter in the form of leaf humus.

Flowering time

May – October. 

Watering 

Young seedlings should be watered regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist during the warm season. Mature specimens have some drought resistance. In autumn and winter, the frequency of watering is reduced.

Spraying

When grown indoors, the leaves should be periodically sprayed with warm water or the pot should be placed on a tray with wet pebbles. The bush prefers rooms with good air circulation.

Purpose

Clematis are excellently used on terraces, balconies and loggias, where they actively wrap around any support and turn it into a blooming waterfall.

Note

All parts of the plant are poisonous - keep it away from children and pets. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling. 

Types:

Clematis flammula

Perennial flowering vines with thin, flexible stems up to 5 m high. The leaves are dark green, glossy, complex, consisting of three heart-shaped segments. The leaf petioles are long and thin. The flowers are white or greenish, with long, thin petals and fluffy, often curved stamens. During the flowering period, the plants emit an aroma reminiscent of almonds and are considered the most fragrant of all types of clematis. 

Clematis tangutica

A fast-growing flowering vine with thin, burgundy or brown shoots reaching a height of 4.5 - 6 m. The plant has opposite, dark green, glossy leaves on thin, long petioles. The leaves are compound, consisting of oblong-oval segments slightly bent along the central vein. The edges of the segments may have small teeth. The flowers are drooping, with golden-yellow petals. After flowering, fluffy seed heads are formed.

Clematis tangutica

A perennial deciduous, flowering vine with thin, brown stems up to 3 - 4 m high. With age, plant stems can become woody and covered with thin brown bark. The leaves are compound, green, consisting of several heart-shaped segments with branched veins. The leaves are arranged oppositely, on long, thin petioles, with the help of which the plant clings to the support. The flowers are large - reaching a diameter of 8 - 10 cm, and have four oblong petals, painted in a purple or lavender hue. 

Clematis mandschurica

An evergreen, relatively compact plant, reaching a height of 180 cm. The liana has thin, branched, flexible stems on which are located complex, green leaves. The flowers are white, attractive, with four oblong-oval petals, and have a very pleasant aroma. Flowering is very abundant. After flowering, the plant is covered with large, fluffy, silvery seed heads. 

Clematis montana

Tall and fast-growing perennial vines, the stems of which can reach a height of 6 - 12 m. The plant has thin, flexible, burgundy stems, on which are located opposite complex, green leaves on long, thin petioles. The leaves are composed of glossy, often toothed segments. The flowers are delicate, with four rounded petals, painted in white, light lilac or pinkish shades. The center of the flowers remains yellow. During the flowering period, the plants have a very pleasant aroma. The flowers reach a diameter of 5 cm and open in late spring - early summer. Flowering is very abundant. 

Clematis integrifolia

A perennial flowering plant up to 120 cm high. The stems are abundantly branched at the base, thin, erect, covered with slight pubescence in the upper part. The leaves are sessile, broadly lanceolate or heart-shaped, glossy, green, pubescent. During the flowering period, the plant produces thin peduncles curved at the tops with drooping, blue flowers. 

Clematis Hagley Hybrid

Abundantly flowering, deciduous perennials with a height of 180 to 250 cm. The leaves are lanceolate, green, covered with branched veins, arranged alternately. The flowers are large, showy, pink or lilac, reaching 15 - 17 cm in diameter. Flowers appear on the previous year's stems in early summer, repeated flowering is possible in late summer or early autumn - buds appear on young shoots. Flowering is very abundant.

Clematis alpina

Perennial deciduous, flowering plants with erect stems up to 3 m high. The leaves are compound, consisting of narrow-lanceolate segments with jagged edges. The leaf segments are slightly bent along the central vein. The flowers are small, solitary, drooping, bell-shaped, reaching a diameter of 4 cm. The oblong petals of the flowers are painted in a bluish or purple tint. The stems of the plants are smooth, burgundy or green, thin. 

Clematis Vitalba

A perennial climbing, deciduous vine with thin, smooth stems. With age, the stems of plants become lignified and covered with brown bark, reaching a height of 10 m. Young shoots have light pubescence and can add up to 3 m in height per season. The leaves are opposite, compound, consisting of 5 green, entire, lanceolate segments from 3 to 10 cm long. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, on long petioles. The flowers are collected in large, axillary inflorescences, have oblong, white or cream petals and many stamens. The center of the flowers is yellow. The plant has a pleasant aroma during the flowering period. 

Clematis paniculata

Perennial deciduous, tall plants with stems reaching a height of 9 m. The leaves are compound, consisting of three glossy, dark green, lanceolate segments. The flowers are small, delicate, with oblong white petals and a yellow center. Each flower has many long, white stamens and reaches a diameter of 2.5 cm. Flowering is very abundant. After flowering, the plants form equally attractive fluffy seed heads. 

Clematis recta

Perennial flowering plants with erect, abundantly branched stems forming a dense crown. The stems are thin and tough. The leaves are compound, green, and consist of heart-shaped or oblong-lanceolate segments. Leaf segments can be green or burgundy-purple. The flowers are small, greenish-white, appear in the summer months at the tops of the stems, and have a large number of straight stamens in the center. The flowers reach 2 cm in diameter. Flowering is very abundant. 

Clematis viticella

Medium-sized flowering vines with thin stems reaching a height of 3 m. The leaves are compound, consisting of 5 - 7 lanceolate segments, arranged oppositely, on long petioles. The flowers are simple or double, reaching a diameter of 5 - 13 cm. The shape of the flowers can be either wide open or bell-shaped, drooping. The flower petals are painted in purple, lavender, pink, burgundy, red, and white shades. There are plants with two-color petals. These clematis are characterized by abundant and long-lasting flowering. 

Clematis brevicaudata

Large flowering vines ranging from 6 to 9 m in height. The plants have complex, feathery leaves consisting of several glossy, green segments with branched veins. Leaf blades often have small teeth along the edge. The flowers are delicate, white or cream, collected in large branched racemes at the tops of the shoots. Flowering is very abundant. Flowers can reach 1.5 - 2 cm in diameter. 

Clematis heracleifolia

Perennial compact, flowering, bushy plants with erect, thin, branched stems from 60 to 90 cm in height. The leaves are large, compound, consisting of glossy, green, broadly lanceolate segments. The leaf blades have small teeth along the edges. During the summer months, terminal inflorescences with small lavender flowers form at the tops of the stems. The flower petals are oblong and bent back. Each flower has a large number of straight, yellow stamens. During the flowering period, the plants emit a pleasant aroma. 

Clematis viorna

A flowering deciduous or evergreen vine with thin, smooth, dark brown stems up to 3 m high. The leaves are glossy, green, complex, and consist of several oblong segments. The segments may have large denticles along the edge and are covered with an extensive network of leaf veins. The flowers are drooping, bell-shaped, with thick, fleshy petals. The outside of the flowers is purple, the inside of the petals is cream or yellowish-brown. 

Clematis florida var. sieboldiana

A relatively compact variety - plant stems reach a height of 180 - 250 cm. Thin, smooth, brown shoots bear opposite, green, compound leaves. Leaf segments are entire, lanceolate, with branched veins. The flowers are showy, large, reaching 7-10 cm in diameter, have oblong white or cream petals and a bright, greenish-purple center. The first flowers appear in early summer on last year's shoots. Repeated flowering can occur in late summer - early autumn on young shoots. 

Clematis virginiana

A fast-growing, flowering vine 3 - 6 m high. The thin stems of the plants bear opposite, complex leaves consisting of three oblong segments. The leaf segments are glossy, green, with large teeth along the edges of the leaf blades. The flowers are small, delicate, white, reach 1.5 - 2 centimeters in diameter, and have a faint sweetish aroma. 

Clematis orientalis

A flowering deciduous vine with thin, brown, smooth stems 2 to 8 m high. With age, the stems become lignified and covered with light brown bark. The plants have green, complex leaves consisting of 3 to 7 segments. The flowers are spectacular, golden-orange, drooping, appearing on the shoots of the current year. After flowering, the plants form equally attractive, fluffy seed heads. 

Clematis serratifolia

Flowering deciduous vine up to 3 m high with brown, smooth stems. The leaves are green, glossy, compound, consisting of oblong-lanceolate segments. The leaf segments have a finely toothed edge and are covered with an extensive network of veins. The flowers are golden-yellow, drooping, with a large number of stamens. After flowering, the plants form silvery, fluffy seed heads that serve as an additional decoration for the clematis. 

Clematis terniflora maximowicziana

A fast growing, tall, deciduous plant with thin stems reaching a height of 6 - 9 m. The leaves are compound, consisting of green, glossy, heart-shaped, entire segments. The flowers are small, creamy white, appearing in late summer - early autumn. Blooming clematis fills the space around itself with a sweetish honey aroma.