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Climber Wall Shrub

Clematis orientalis L.

oriental clematis

A deciduous climber, up to around 8m high, with pinnately divided, often lobed green leaves borne in groups of three. Small, lightly scented yellow flowers, with thick, reflexed petals covered or edged with fine hairs, are produced in late summer and early autumn, and are followed by tufted seedheads

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
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: Aegean to Tibet

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant with the top of the root ball about 8cm below the soil surface, in a moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Position in sun or part shade, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. See clematis cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate from cuttings (climbers), or by layering in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Climber and wall shrubs
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning (clematis) group 3. Cut back hard before growth begins in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids. Cutworms and voles may cut young stems

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux

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