Clematis

Synonyms: ломонос, лозинка, Atragene L., Coriflora W.A.Weber, nom. inval., Viorna Rchb.

Clematis (Clematis Dill. ex L) – a genus of perennial herbaceous or woody plants in the Ranunculaceae family. These plants were first placed in a separate genus by Carl Linnaeus in 1753-1754. Cultivated in Western Europe since the 16th century, in Japan much earlier.

Naturally occurring in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Found in forests, on riverbanks and in river valleys, on rocks and cliffs, in steppes and steppe meadows, less often on saline soils, on hillsides and in shrub thickets.

They are perennial herbaceous or woody plants with liana-like twining or climbing, less often erect stems.

Leaves are arranged oppositely, less often alternately, simple or compound, ternate, twice-ternate or imparipinnate, dark- or light-green.

Flowers are large, borne singly, less often in inflorescences, abundant in stamens and carpels. The perianth most often consists of 4, less often 5-8 petaloid sepals. In some species the presence of petaloid staminodes (modified stamens) is characteristic.

Fruits – many achenes with long pinnately hairy beaks. Fruits are wind-dispersed and have a special adaptation – a feathered stylodium.

Species: includes 230—371 species, which mainly occur in China.

Some of them:

• Клематис альпийский - Сlematis alpina
• Клематис виноградолистный - Сlematis vitalba
• Клематис Витицелла - С. Viticella
• Клематис гибридный - Сlematis hybrids
• Клематис горный - Сlematis montana
• Клематис Жакмана - Clematis Jackmana L.
• Клематис Интегрифолия - Clematis integrifolia
• Клематис Ланугиноза - Clematis lanuginose
• Kлематис Патенс - Clematis patens
• Клематис фиолетовый - Сlematis viticella
• Клематис Флорида - Clematis florida

Hardiness zone: 6b (-20°С)

Location: heat-loving and light-loving, require protection from strong and cold winds. Prefer nutrient-rich and moist soil. In the temperate zone it is recommended to plant in sunny or slightly shaded locations. In southern regions they may suffer from overheating, so they can be planted in shade. Prefer sandy loam or loam soil rich in humus and loose, from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic.

Planting: Planting hole dimensions — 60×60×60 cm. Soil mixture — mix the top layer of soil with 2-3 buckets of compost or humus, 1 bucket of peat, 1 bucket of sand, 100-150 g superphosphate, 200 g complete mineral fertilizer, preferably 100 g bone meal, 150-200 g lime or chalk, 200 g ash. When planting in light soils it is recommended to add more peat. If the soil is wet, clayey or dense, it is necessary to add a 10-15 cm layer of crushed stone for drainage. In southern regions planting is carried out in late September — early October, in the temperate zone — in September, in northern regions — in spring (late April or early May) or early autumn. In containers planting can be done throughout the growing season. For group plantings the distance between plants should be at least 1 m. For autumn planting the planting material should have well-developed vegetative buds; for spring planting — at least one shoot. Seedlings should have at least 3 roots shorter than 10 cm.

Care: early in spring clematis can be watered with lime milk (200 g of lime per 10 L of water per sq. m). In dry hot periods water the plant infrequently but deeply, avoiding directing the stream into the center of the bush. Fertilize clematis at least four times per season after watering with a complete mineral fertilizer with microelements at the rate of 20-40 g per 10 L of water or with diluted fermented cow manure (1:10). Alternate mineral and organic feedings. In summer, once a month plants are watered with a weak solution of boric acid (1-2 g) and potassium permanganate (2-3 g per 10 L of water), and the bushes are also sprayed with urea (0.5 tbsp per 10 L of water). In spring after feeding and watering it is recommended to mulch the soil with peat or humus (northern regions) and sawdust (southern regions). To protect from overheating annuals can be planted near clematis. Bushes need support.

Pruning: some species require pruning.

Propagation: Can also be propagated by layering. Mainly propagated by seeds, green and hardwood cuttings, division of the bush. For garden cultivars grafting onto more winter-hardy species is used.

Diseases: gray rot, powdery mildew, rust, wilt.

Pests: nematodes, spider mite, beet aphid, scale insects, bugs, snails and slugs, rodents (field vole, brown rat).

Uses: used for vertical landscaping of walls, fences, gazebos, pergolas, trellises, looks good on shaped supports (sphere, pyramid) on lawns. Creeping species are used in solitary or group plantings on lawns and rock gardens.