Clematis ligussticifolia
Common Name(s):
Western clematis
Virgin's bower
Synonym:
Clematis neomexicana
Travelor's joy
Flower:
White
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Aug
Dioecious, female flower has 4-5 white sepals and many pistils, many sterile stamens,, male flower has 4-5 sepals and many stamens, no pistils
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
YES
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Vine
Foliage:
Green
Leaves opposite, pinnately compound with 5-7 oval leaflets
Fall Color?
YES
Fluffy silvery white seed plunesa are attractive
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Persistent seed plumes remain on the plant long after the leaves have fallen
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Western United States
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
1-50'
Spread:
5-15'
Growth Rate:
Fast
Native Habitat:
Forest edges, wooded areas
Soil:
Rocky to loam
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Give an annual compost top dressing in early spring, or consider a balncesd slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10) in spring or a low nitrogen bloom boosting (5-10-10) to support flowering
Mulch:
Mulch in spring with a 2-3" layer of organic mulch such as compost, or shredded leaves or bark
Maintain consistent moderate moisture, divide every 2-3 years in early spring, shear or mow (on top setting) after blooming, fertilize (if needed) a light application of a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring, remove runners in spring or fall
Long Term:
Winter:
Late winter can prune back to promote flowering
Spring:
Cut back vines to 12" above the ground to promote vigorous growth, apply a balanced fertilizer(5-10-10) and 1-2" mulch
Summer:
Give consistent watering, plant likes cool roots so give a cool moist soil, guide onto a trellis or fence, can be pruned after flowering, give a light fertilization
Fall:
Reduce watering, protect roots by apply a 1-2" layer of mulch
General Care Comments:
provide 6 hours of direct sun each day, keep roots cool, give good drainage, water deeply once a week in growing season, prune late winter, cut stems back hard to a pair of strong buds or 1-2' abovve ground
Common Problems
Aggressive growth and invasiveness
Diseases:
Powdery mildew, rust, clematis wilt, slime flux
Insects:
Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, earwigs, vine weevils
Environmental Problems:
Aggressive growth and habitat alteration, hard to eradicate
Pests:
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