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 misapplied
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
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 West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
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.