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Clematis Hybrids

Clematis hybrida (KLEM-ah-tiss HY-brid-ah)

Family: Ranunculaceae Unknown Vine (vertical)

Clematis hybrids are woody, perennial, twining vines in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). They are derived from two, large-flowered clematises (themselves likely hybrids of unknown parentage) that arrived in England in the late 19th century from China. They were used by nurserymen for crossing to make large-flowered hybrids that could be grown commercially. The species epithet is Latin for “hybrid.” Clematis hybrids prefer clay, loam, or sandy soils with a pH near 7. Keep the soil cool (by mulching or overplanting), evenly moist, and well-drained. The clematis hybrids tolerate partial shade but will flower best in full sun. They are in the Type 2 pruning group and should be pruned lightly in late winter. Propagate by stem cuttings. There are hundreds of clematis hybrids that bloom spring, summer and fall in shades of blue, pink, red, white, purple, yellow, cream and bi-colors. During a single growing season, a large-flowered hybrid may produce over 100 star- or saucer-shaped blossoms ranging in size from 4 to 10 inches in diameter. The flowers may be single, double or semi-double. Clematis hybrids are weak climbers and may perform best as an interesting ground cover in a naturalized area, a garden accent or specimen, a container plant, or even a houseplant. Their flowers are showy, fragrant and long-blooming. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests of clematis vary from slugs and earwigs to deer and rabbits (herbivores eat only young shoots, which have not yet developed the toxin). VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Clematis .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 64 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical) Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Clematis Clematis texensis Dianthus chinensis x barbatus

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Poisonous; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Cascading; Climbing; Dense; Mounding; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate, pinnately divided, and are slightly heart-shaped (pointed on one side).
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Bell; Star; Urn
Flower detail
They bloom in late spring to early summer but often again in late summer to early fall. Flowers have 4-8 petal-like parts of various colors, shapes, and sizes, all with many stamens.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene; Aggregate
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
This plant has many small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail. Fruit looks like spiral threads in the form a circle.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Hybrid origin
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene; Aggregate
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Houseplants; Naturalized Area
Design feature
Accent; Specimen
Garden tags
#deciduous #white flowers #purple #purple flowers #woody vine #poisonous #full sun tolerant #herbaceous vine #spring flowers #summer flowers #fall flowers #fall interest #winter interest #bicolor #moist soil #showy flowers #neutral pH #seedheads #blue flowers #star shaped flowers #pink flowers #fragrant flowers #well-drained soil #spring interest #sandy soils tolerant #clay soils tolerant #red flowers #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #partial shade tolerant #black walnut toxicity tolerant #rich soils #rabbit browsing plant #deer browsing plant #fast growing #bell-shaped flowers #twining
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
Other problems
White-Tailed Deer; Cottontail Rabbit
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Black Walnut
Propagation
Stem Cutting
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. (Poisonous through dermatitis, ingestion, or inhalation. Poisonous parts: All species are toxic, all parts). Symptoms may include: Burning sensation of mouth and mouth ulcers; skin redness and burning sensation.
Toxic principle
protoanemonin
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Seeds; Stems; contact dermatitis

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.