Alpine clematis

Synonyms: Alpine knyazhik, Alpine lomonos, Anemone atragene K.Krause, Atragene alpina L., Atragene austriaca Scop., Atragene clematides Crantz, Clematis alpina var. kraettliana Schröt., Clematis alpina var. lactea Beck, Clematis alpina var. pallida Ausserd. ex Hegi, Clematis alpina var. subbiternata Beck, Clematis alpina subsp. wenderothii Schltdl. ex Kuntze

Alpine clematis (Clematis alpina (L.) Mill.) — a species of perennial woody plants of the genus Clematis (Clematis) in the family Ranunculaceae. This species was named and first studied by the well-known Swedish biologist and writer Carl Linnaeus, who is considered the father of modern scientific classification of living organisms. The study was continued and completed by the Swedish botanist Philip Miller. The first complete description was published in 1768 in Philip Miller’s "Dictionary." The first specimen was found in the Alps, from which the species took its name.

In nature it occurs in the temperate regions of Eurasia (from southeastern France in the west to Japan in the east, from Scandinavia in the north to Pakistan in the south). In mountains it grows at elevations of 800–1900 m above sea level.

It is a deciduous climbing vine 1–2 m tall. Shoots thin, curved.

Leaves borne on long petioles, trifoliate, ovate in shape, acute, deeply serrated. Upper surface of the blade glabrous, lower surface slightly pubescent. Petioles 4–7 cm long, often with tendrils. Leaf blade light green, 2–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide.

Flowers grow in the leaf axils, bell-shaped, nodding, purple or bright blue. Pedicels long, thin. Sepals 4, ovate-lanceolate or ovate, acute, finely pubescent at the margins and on the outside. Petals linear, 10–12 in number, about half as long as the sepals. Blooms in April–May.

Fruits — shortly pubescent achenes with a pubescent appendage up to 30 mm long.

Subspecies:

• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. subsp. alpina (syn. = Atragene alpina L.)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. subsp. macropetala (Ledeb.) Kuntze
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. subsp. sibirica (Mill.) Kuntze (1885) (syn. = Clematis sibirica Mill.; = Atragene sibirica L.)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. albiflora Maxim. ex Kuntze (1885)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. chinensis Maxim. (1890)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. koreana (Kom.) Nakai (1909)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. macropetala (Ledeb.) Maxim. (1889)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. occidentalis A. Gray
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. ochotensis (Pall.) Kuntze
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. rupestris Turcz. ex Kuntze (1885)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. teniloba A. Gray (1880)
• Clematis alpina (L.) Mill. var. triternata O. Kuntze (1885)

Hardiness zone: 5 (-29°C)

Location: prefers partial light, needs protection from strong and cold winds. Prefers nutrient-rich, moderately moist soil. In temperate zones it is recommended to plant in sunny or lightly shaded spots. In southern regions it may suffer from overheating, so it can be planted in the shade. In nature it grows on fresh, rich, nutrient soils, often stony. Occurs in shrub thickets, on rocks, on vegetated slopes in the montane and subalpine belts on calcareous ground.

Planting: Planting pit size — 60×60×60 cm. Soil mix — topsoil mixed 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. For light soils it is recommended to add more peat. If the soil is wet, clayey or compacted, a 10–15 cm layer of crushed stone should be added 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 it can be planted throughout the growing season. For group plantings the distance between plants should be at least 1 m. With autumn planting the planting material should have well-developed vegetative buds; with spring planting — at least one shoot. Seedlings should have at least 3 roots less than 10 cm long.

Care: in early spring clematis can be watered with lime milk (200 g lime per 10 L water per m²). During dry hot periods water the plant infrequently but deeply, avoiding directing the stream into the center of the clump. Feed clematis at least four times per season after watering with a complete mineral fertilizer with microelements at a rate of 20–40 g per 10 L water or with diluted fermented cow manure (1:10). Alternate mineral and organic dressings. 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 water), and bushes are sprayed with urea (0.5 tablespoon per 10 L water). In spring after fertilizing 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. Plants require support.

Pruning: some varieties require pruning.

Propagation: mainly propagated by seeds, green and woody cuttings, and by division of the bush. Can also be propagated by layering.

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

Pests: nematodes, spider mite, beet aphid, scale insects, true 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.