Clematis vitalba
traveller's joy
A very vigorous climber to a height of 7m plus, with mid- to dark green foliage, flowering from mid-summer to early autumn. Clusters of small, four-petalled, creamy-white flowers, with a green tinge and prominent white stamens, are followed by long-lasting ,silky seedheads
Other common names
beggar's plantbind-with
see morebiting clematis
devil's twine
hedge vine
lady's bower
love
maiden's hair
maiden's honesty
old man
old man's beard
smoke weed
smoking cane
virgin's bower
white vine
cudd y coed
Synonyms
Clematis virginiana misappliedSize
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, °Â±ð±ô±ô–d°ù²¹¾±²Ô±ð»åpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White Green | Green | ||
Autumn | White Green | Green | Grey Silver | |
Winter | Grey Silver |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or °Â±ð²õ³Ù–f²¹³¦¾±²Ô²µ
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (rabbits): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Clematis can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or herbaceous perennials, mostly climbing by twining leaf-stalks, and often with showy flowers. Some have attractive fluffy seedheads in autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Will thrive in a wide range of soils and situations. See clematis cultivation for more advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in containers in a cold frame, or by rooting softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer. Layering can be carried out in late winter or early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, snails and caterpillars; petals may be eaten by earwigs
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux
Clematis vitalba
traveller's joy
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