Clematis is a genus of climbing plants in the family Ranunculaceae, comprising about 200 species. Most species are known as Clematis, while some are known as Traveler's Joy, Old Man's Beard, Leather Flower, Vase Vine and Virgin's Bower. Clematis species are found in temperate regions throughout the world, and also in mountains in the tropics. Clema is Greek for a liana.
Clematis is a herbaceous perennial, deciduous or evergreen climber with a wide range of flower color and shape. It has long flowering period with attractive seedheads, suitable to grow in containers. Clematis has vigorous, long stemmed, woody, climbing vines called lianas, that are rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees or any other vertical support to climb up. The woddy stems are quite fragile until several years old. The leaves are usually divided into leaflets, with lianas twist and curl around supporting structures. Clematis grows best when their roots are shaded but their tops are in full sun.
Clematis alpina (Alpine Clematis) is an early-flowering deciduous vine native to Europe. It is a popular ornamental plant grown for its showy, nodding bell-shaped, spring flowers. Each flower is 2-8 cm across, on long stalks and come in a wide variety of colors. Seed-eating birds are attracted to the silvery seedheads. The foliage is a useful cover for birds when other plants are still leafless.
Clematis montana (Anemone Clematis) is an early flowering plant with masses of small white or pink flowers in early summer. It is one of the most vigorous and spectacular of all Clematis but can be pruned to maintain its forms by shortening the side growths in early autumn.
Clematis armandii (Armand Clematis or Evergreen Clematis) is native to western China, and is a popular ornamental plant, grown for its showy flowers. It bears clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring on previous year's growth. It serves well as a screen with its dark green drooping leaves creating a textured look. This species is not as hardy as the other species and do best when it is protected by a sheltered wall.
Clematis brachiata (Traveler's Joy) is a hardy, deciduous climbing plant native to South Africa. It tends to clamber on tops of trees and shrubs, sprawling over the crowns. Its leaves are compound with 1-17 leaflets. The attractive fragrant flowers are borne in summer, with the achenes (simple dry fruit) covered in fine silky hairs.
There are many Clematis cultivars with attrative flowers, including 'Beauty of Worcester' which has violet-blue flowers, double in late spring and single in late summer. 'Belle of Woking' bears double mauve flowers in summer. 'Duchess of Edinburgh' has double white flowers in summer. 'Earnest Markham' has petunia red flowers in summer. 'Nelly Moser' has mauve and carmine flowers in early summer.
Plant Clematis with roots in shade and top-growth in full sun, in fertile and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in autumn; cuttings in spring or early summer; or by layer in late winter or early spring. Pest and diseases are aphids, clematis wilt, and powdery mildew.
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Wouter Hagens
