Henryi Clematis Clematis 'Henryi' (EL)
ABOUT
Clematis 'Henryi' is a vibrant and showy climbing plant known for its magnificent large flowers. The blooms of this plant are its most striking feature, with each individual flower consisting of six to eight creamy-white sepals that can give the appearance of petals. These sepals are broad and overlapping, often showcasing a velvety sheen. Prominent ribs or veins run along their surface, which may be more pronounced or slightly ruffled at the edges, adding texture and depth to the blossom. At the center of each flower sits a tuft of contrasting stamens, typically a pale yellow or light greenish color, which stands out against the white sepals. Depending on the specific plant, the stamen filaments could be simple or feathery, adding an extra layer of elegance to the overall floral display. The foliage of Clematis 'Henryi' provides a lush backdrop for the blooms and is comprised of green leaves that are divided into multiple leaflets. These leaflets are typically oval or lance-shaped, with a pointed tip and a somewhat leathery texture. The edges of the leaves may be smooth or toothed, and they are arranged in an opposite fashion along the climbing stems. As a climbing plant, Clematis 'Henryi' employs tendrils that grasp onto support structures, which could include trellises, fences, or other plants. This enables the clematis to grow upright and showcase its flowers at various levels. The stems are somewhat woody and wiry, which helps the plant support the weight of its blooms as it climbs and spreads. Throughout its blooming season, Clematis 'Henryi' offers a continuous display of these stunning flowers, which can be appreciated for their size and beauty, making it a favored choice for gardeners looking to add vertical interest and a touch of elegance to their outdoor spaces.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Henry Clematis, Henry's Clematis
Common names
Clematis 'Henryi' (EL).
ToxicityTo humans
Clematis or Clematis 'Henryi', though beautiful, can be toxic if ingested. The plant contains glycosides which can cause symptoms such as salivation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if parts of the plant are eaten. In severe cases, ingestion may lead to internal bleeding and organ damage. Handling the plant might also cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to the irritant compounds found in the sap.
To pets
Clematis, including the Clematis 'Henryi' variety, is also toxic to pets. If ingested, it may cause excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in animals. There is potential for more severe symptoms such as low blood pressure and tremors if a significant amount has been consumed. It's important to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting any part of this plant to avoid these adverse effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
3 feet (1 meter)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: 'Henryi' is widely admired for its large, striking white flowers with contrasting purple or brown anthers, which provide a visually appealing addition to any garden setting.
- Vertical Interest: As a climbing vine, it can cover walls, arbors, trellises, or pergolas, adding height and dimension to garden designs.
- Seasonal Blooms: This clematis typically flowers from early to mid-summer, offering a seasonal display that can be a focal point during its blooming period.
- Privacy Screen: When grown on fences or trellises, 'Henryi' can provide a degree of privacy, screening off areas from view with its dense foliage and blooms.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Its flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the support of local ecosystems.
- Garden Variety: 'Henryi' is compatible with a range of other plants, allowing gardeners to create diverse and harmonious planting schemes.
- Easy Pruning: Belonging to Pruning Group 2, 'Henryi' is relatively easy to prune, requiring just a light pruning after flowering to keep it in shape and maintain vigor.
- Long-lived Perennial: As a perennial vine, once well established, it can provide many years of beauty with proper care and minimal replacement.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Clematis 'Henryi' can be trained to grow on structures as a shading element, providing a natural cooling effect to arbors, pergolas, or trellises.
- The vine's ability to climb and cover walls can be utilized for aesthetic facade treatments, adding charm and character to plain exterior walls.
- Planted in outdoor living areas, Clematis 'Henryi' can create a vertical garden effect, especially in limited space environments.
- When used in landscape design, this clematis variety can be employed to draw attention or lead the eye towards a focal point or feature in a garden.
- Due to its dense foliage, Clematis 'Henryi' can be used as a natural privacy screen for porches, patios, or between neighboring properties.
- The plant's twining stems can be encouraged to entwine with garden sculptures or art pieces, integrating living elements into outdoor artwork.
- Clematis 'Henryi' can be used for thematic gardening, where its regal white flowers contribute to a white-themed garden space or a moon garden.
- The plant can act as a host for beneficial insects, creating a habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies within the garden ecosystem.
- Applying the plant in educational settings, such as schools or community gardens, can provide a living example of plant growth habits for instructional purposes.
- As it grows, Clematis 'Henryi' can be manipulated into living tunnels or arches, offering a whimsical and interactive element to garden pathways.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Henryi Clematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Henryi Clematis is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Ingenuity - Clematis 'Henryi' can symbolize cleverness and mental dexterity due to its ability to climb and support itself on various structures.
- Resilience - As clematis often recover and bloom year after year, they can represent a person's ability to recover from challenges.
- Spiritualism - Because the flower climbs toward the sky, it is sometimes associated with a quest for spiritual fulfillment.
- Artistic Inspiration - The large, striking blooms of 'Henryi' can symbolize inspiration and aspiration for artists and creatives.
WaterHenryi Clematis prefers consistently moist soil, so it's important to water regularly. During the growing season, make sure to water it thoroughly once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per session. During hot or dry periods, you may need to water twice a week to maintain proper moisture. Reduce watering to every other week in the fall and cut back further to just enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely during the winter when the plant is dormant.
LightHenryi Clematis thrives best in a location where it receives at least six hours of sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this vine is where its roots are shaded, but the foliage is in the sun. You can achieve this by planting lower-growing plants around its base or by using a thick layer of mulch to keep the roots cool, ensuring the top part of the vine gets enough light to flourish.
TemperatureHenryi Clematis does well in a wide range of temperatures but prefers to be situated in an area where the temperature is between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature down to about -40 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature up to around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. To encourage optimal growth and flowering, try to provide an environment that remains within this ideal range.
PruningPruning Henryi Clematis is crucial to encourage vigorous growth and flowering. For this variety, which flowers on new wood, prune in late winter or early spring. Remove any dead or weak stems before growth starts, cutting back to a pair of strong buds, usually about 1 foot above ground level. After the initial flowering, you can lightly prune to shape the vine and potentially encourage a second flush of blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Henryi Clematis thrives in a well-drained, fertile soil mix with good moisture-holding capacity. A balanced blend of loamy garden soil, compost, and gritty material like perlite or coarse sand will provide proper aeration and nutrients. It prefers slightly alkaline to neutral pH, around 6.5 to 7.5.
RepottingHenryi Clematis should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it becomes root-bound. Early spring is the ideal time for repotting, just before active growth resumes.
Humidity & MistingHenryi Clematis prefers moderate humidity levels, generally around 50-70%. It can tolerate some variation, but avoid excessively dry or overly humid conditions that can lead to issues such as mildew.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, cool temps, and good air circulation indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in partial sun, use well-draining soil, and water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleClematis 'Henryi' starts its life cycle when a seed germinates, typically in the spring after experiencing a period of stratification to break dormancy. As a young plant, it puts energy into developing a robust root system and foliage, climbing or spreading if given a structure to support. Vegetative growth is followed by the flowering stage in late spring to early summer, where it produces large, white flowers renowned for their beauty. Post flowering, it enters a phase of seed development where the flowers are replaced by feathery seed heads that disperse with the wind. Throughout the growing season, the plant will continue to produce new stems and leaves, and if pruned correctly, it may flower again in the late summer or early autumn. As winter approaches, the clematis enters dormancy, with the aerial parts dying back to the woody stems, conserving energy to restart the cycle in the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The popular method of propagation for the Clematis 'Henryi', commonly known as Henry Clematis, is by taking softwood cuttings in spring or early summer. The process involves selecting a healthy stem about 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) long with at least two sets of leaves. Cut just below a leaf node, where the concentration of growth hormones is high, which will encourage root development. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone powder to boost root growth. The cutting is then placed in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix or a soilless medium and kept in high humidity and indirect light until roots have formed, after which it can be transplanted into the garden.
