Clematis florida
Deciduous climber (semi-evergreen in warm locations) to 2.4m tall, with wiry stems, glossy dark green leaves composed of 5-9 leaflets and single, pearly-white flowers to 10cm across, with a central pale green bar beneath the tepals, and prominent dark purple anthers, produced on slender, hairy stalks, in late spring, sporadic late season flowers tinted green are produced until autumn
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White Green | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White Green | Green | ||
Autumn | White Green | Green | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous or Semi evergreen
- 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
- China, Japan
How to grow
Cultivation
In warm, sheltered locations, plant in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. Plant with the crown 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level. Best kept in a conservatory or frost-free greenhouse in a container at least 45cm deep and wide in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost. See clematis cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in early summer or layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Wall side borders
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails or caterpillars on young growth
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt and clematis slime flux
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.