Pink Champagne Clematis 'Kakio' (EL)
ABOUT
Clematis 'Kakio', also known as Pink Champagne, is a vibrant climbing plant renowned for its stunning floral display. The showpiece of this cultivar are its delicate flowers: they typically feature four to six broad, pointed petals that blend beautifully from a light pink at the margins to a deeper pink at the base. At the center of each flower, a spray of creamy white stamens with yellow-tipped anthers provides a striking contrast, making the blossoms truly eye-catching. These flowers can be quite large, captivating onlookers with their impressive and showy appearance. The petals have a slight sheen and a smooth texture which catches the light, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. Blooming profusely from late spring to early summer, and often again in the early fall, Pink Champagne offers a long season of color to any garden. The foliage of Pink Champagne is another attractive characteristic. The leaves are mid-green, compound, and comprise smaller leaflets that have a somewhat leathery texture. The arrangement of the leaves creates a lush backdrop that further accentuates the beauty of the blooms. This density of foliage provides a good amount of coverage, which makes Clematis 'Kakio' an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, or fences, where it can create natural privacy screens. Notably, Pink Champagne is appreciated not just for its display but also for its versatility and willingness to climb, offering height and dimension to gardens without taking up significant ground space. It intertwines gracefully through supports, showcasing its ornamental quality throughout the growing season. Over time, with proper care, this cultivar can become a robust and resilient feature of any garden, providing spectacular visual interest and charm.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Pink Champagne Clematis, Kakio Clematis
Common names
Clematis 'Kakio' (EL).
- Toxicity
To humans
The Clematis, also known by its cultivar name 'Kakio', is known to be toxic to humans if ingested. The plant contains irritating substances known as glycosides which, upon ingestion, can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers. Symptoms can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, salivation and internal bleeding may occur. It is important to handle the plant with care as well, as even skin contact can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
To pets
The Clematis, commonly referred to as the Clematis, is also toxic to pets. If ingested, the toxins can cause similar symptoms in pets as in humans, including drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may also lead to ataxia, lethargy, or seizures in severe cases. Prompt veterinary attention is advisable if a pet has consumed any part of the plant.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.9 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Japan
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: The Clematis 'Kakio', also known as Pink Champagne, offers strikingly beautiful pink flowers that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Vertical Interest: It is a climbing vine, which means it can add vertical interest to gardens, covering trellis, arbors, and walls, making the most of vertical space.
- Seasonal Color: The plant blooms in late spring to early summer, providing a splash of color when many other plants are just beginning to grow.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for the ecosystem and help in the pollination of nearby plants.
- Easy Maintenance: Once established, Clematis 'Kakio' requires minimal maintenance aside from occasional pruning and watering.
- Screening: Its climbing habit can be used to create natural screens for privacy or to hide unsightly areas in the garden.
- Versatility: It can be grown in containers or in the ground, offering versatility in terms of placement and use in various garden designs.
- Long Lifespan: With proper care, Clematis vines can live for many years, even decades, making them a long-lasting addition to the garden.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Clematis 'Kakio' can be used in crafting, such as making natural dyes for fabrics due to the plant's pigments which can provide a range of colors.
- The vine’s flexible stems can be woven into small baskets or decorative objects, showcasing traditional weaving techniques.
- When dried, the plant's flowers and foliage can be incorporated into potpourri mixes, adding a visual element to the blend.
- The plant can serve as a natural privacy screen when grown along fences or trellises in densely populated areas.
- Clematis 'Kakio' can be used in educational settings, such as botany classes, to teach students about climbing plant mechanics and pollination strategies.
- The extensive root system of Clematis 'Kakio' can be used for soil stabilization on slopes, helping to prevent erosion.
- It can be employed in sensory gardens, where its varied textures and subtle fragrance can be appreciated, especially in therapeutic garden settings for the visually impaired.
- In floristry, the stems and blooms of the Clematis 'Kakio' may be used to add elegance and height to floral arrangements.
- The plant's climbing habit makes it suitable for beautifying unsightly structures like utility boxes or chain-link fences in urban landscapes.
- Used in photography and painting, Clematis 'Kakio' provides an attractive subject or backdrop due to its colorful and intricate flowers.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Pink Clematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Pink Clematis is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Mental Agility: Clematis 'Kakio' is often associated with sharpness of mind and the ability to think clearly, perhaps due to its vibrant blossoms that seem to stimulate creativity and alertness.
- Artistic Inspiration: Known for their showy flowers, clematis plants in general, and 'Kakio' in particular, symbolize the muses of art, invoking inspiration and the blossoming of ideas akin to its own flowering.
- Traveler's Joy: In some cultures, clematis represents safe travels and adventure. The 'Kakio' variety, with its wandering vines, can be emblematic of the journey of life and the pursuit of new experiences.
- Spiritual Pursuit: The upward growth habit of this clematis signifies a quest for higher knowledge and spiritual elevation, resonating with those who seek to grow beyond their current boundaries.
- Ingenuity: With its ability to adapt to various growing conditions and to climb over obstacles effortlessly, the 'Kakio' clematis symbolizes cleverness and the inventive spirit.
- Perseverance: The resilience of the clematis to re-flower after cutting back or even suffering damage speaks to the strength and perseverance the plant represents.
- Water
The Pink Champagne Clematis should be watered thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water the plant once a week with about 1 to 1.5 gallons, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. In hot or dry periods, additional water may be necessary, possibly twice a week, but always check the soil before adding water to prevent overwatering. During winter, reduce the frequency of watering since the plant requires less moisture.
- Light
Pink Champagne Clematis thrives in a spot with full sun to partial shade. Ideally, the roots should be in a cool, shady area, while the foliage should receive about 6 hours of sunlight each day. A location that provides morning sun and afternoon shade is optimal for the health and flowering of the plant.
- Temperature
The Pink Champagne Clematis prefers temperate conditions and is hardy in zones 4 through 9. The plant can tolerate temperatures down to about -30 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit but prefers a growing environment where temperatures range between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. It can suffer heat stress if temperatures consistently exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pruning
Pruning is essential for the Pink Champagne Clematis to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Prune in late winter or early spring before active growth begins. Clematis 'Kakio' falls into Pruning Group 2, meaning it should be lightly pruned to remove dead and weak stems, then cut back tops of stems to a pair of strong buds. This particular variety typically blooms on old wood, so heavy pruning can reduce the number of flowers.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Clematis 'Kakio', commonly known as Pink Champagne Clematis, thrives best in well-draining soil with a mix of composted manure or garden compost and a balanced pH level ranging from 6.5 to 7.5. A combination of two parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost or well-rotted manure will create the ideal growing medium for this vigorous climbing plant.
- Repotting
Pink Champagne Clematis should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when the plant has outgrown its container. It's important to provide a support structure for the plant to climb on during repotting. Early spring, before the growth starts, is the best time for repotting.
- Humidity & Misting
Pink Champagne Clematis prefers average to high humidity levels but is adaptable and can thrive in the typical outdoor humidity found in most temperate regions. There isn't a strict humidity requirement, provided that the soil moisture levels are well-maintained.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Provide bright indirect light and support for climbing.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to part shade; provide support to climb.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Clematis 'Kakio', also known as Pink Champagne, begins its life as a seed, which once germinated, grows into a small seedling. The seedling develops into a young vine, forming a robust root system and a few stems. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it produces more leaves and stems, and climbs with the help of its tendrils. When mature, Pink Champagne produces its characteristic large pink flowers during late spring to early summer, which can recur in late summer if pruned appropriately after the first bloom. After flowering, the plant develops fruit in the form of achenes, which disperse for propagation. During winter or in response to adverse conditions, the plant may die back to the ground, but it will resprout from the root crown when favorable conditions return.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Early Spring
The most popular method of propagating the Clematis 'Kakio' (EL), commonly known as Pink Champagne Clematis, is through softwood cuttings. This technique is typically carried out in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is just beginning to mature and harden slightly. A gardener would select a healthy-looking shoot and cut a segment about 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 centimeters), ensuring that there are at least two sets of leaves or leaf buds. The lower leaves are then removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone before being placed in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite. The cutting needs to be kept under high humidity conditions, which can be achieved by covering the pot with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagation chamber. Consistent moisture and warmth are crucial, and roots typically begin to develop within a few weeks. Once the roots have established, the new Pink Champagne Clematis can be transplanted into a larger container or its final position in the garden.