Clematis Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' (EL)
ABOUT
Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' is a striking ornamental vine known for its large, showy flowers. The blooms are a crisp, pure white with a satin-like sheen, giving them a luminous quality. Each flower is composed of six to eight broad, overlapping petals that form a classic, rounded clematis shape. In the center of the blooms, prominent yellow stamens stand out, offering a bold contrast to the white petals and attracting pollinators. The leaves of Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' are bright green and divided into leaflets, which are typically arranged in pairs along the stem. The leaflets themselves are smooth-edged and can sometimes have a slight shine to them, providing a lush backdrop that makes the white flowers pop even more. This plant is known for its prolific flowering habit, producing an abundant display that can cover the vine with blossoms during its peak season. The flowers appear from late spring to early summer and often enjoy a second flush of blooms later in the season. When not in bloom, the vine itself adds texture and greenery to gardens, serving as an excellent backdrop for other plants or as a green cloak over trellises, arbors, and fences.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Marie Boisselot Clematis, Early Large-flowered Clematis
Common names
Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' (EL)
ToxicityTo humans
Clematis, including the variety 'Marie Boisselot,' can be toxic if ingested. It contains compounds known as glycosides which, along with other irritant substances, can cause mild to severe symptoms. The symptoms of clematis poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. In severe cases, there could also be mouth ulcers and skin irritation if the sap comes into contact with the skin. It is advisable to handle clematis with care and ensure that children do not ingest any part of the plant.
To pets
Clematis, which includes the 'Marie Boisselot' variety, can also be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats if they ingest any part of the plant. The toxicity arises from irritant compounds including glycosides present in the plant. Symptoms of clematis poisoning in pets are similar to those in humans and may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and at times, there could be signs of oral irritation such as pawing at the mouth. Pets should be kept away from the plant, and if ingestion occurs, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
10 feet (3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Decorative: Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' is known for its large, showy white flowers, which add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Climbing Growth Habit: As a climbing vine, it can cover walls, fences, trellises, and pergolas, providing vertical interest in garden design.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: The plant offers seasonal interest with its blooms in late spring to early summer, and sometimes a second bloom period in autumn.
- Adaptability: It is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions and can tolerate some degree of urban pollution, making it versatile for different garden settings.
- Easy Pruning: It belongs to the pruning group 2 (EL), which is generally easy to maintain with light pruning to shape the plant and promote healthy growth.
- Long Lifespan: Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' is a perennial plant, providing enjoyment for many years once established.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' can be used in art and photography due to its stunning large white flowers, providing an elegant subject or backdrop for botanical illustrations and garden photography.
- The climbing nature of Clematis can be utilized in landscape design to create natural privacy screens on pergolas, fences, or trellises.
- The dried seed heads of Clematis add visual interest to flower arrangements and winter gardens, long after the blooming season has ended.
- Clematis is sometimes utilized in educational settings such as schools or botanical gardens to teach about plant growth habits and vine training techniques.
- Clematis can be planted to provide seasonal shading in outdoor sitting areas, cooling the space naturally during the hotter months.
- Some gardeners might use the vigorous growth of Clematis to cover unsightly features in the garden, such as old stumps or decrepit sheds.
- The plant can also serve as a living mulch when grown as ground cover, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture.
- Clematis may be used as a cover for compost bins or other utility areas, camouflaging them with its foliage and flowers.
- Its tendrils and climbing ability make Clematis ideal for creating living art installations that change and grow throughout the seasons.
- Incorporated into a wildlife garden, Clematis can provide nesting sites for birds and beneficial insects amongst its dense foliage.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiClematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityClematis is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Mental Agility: Clematis plants are often associated with cleverness and intelligence, possibly due to their intricate and thoughtful growth patterns, constantly seeking for something to climb on.
- Creativity: With their large, showy flowers, clematis can symbolize creativity and the expressive arts, evoking the flourishing of ideas and artistic expression.
- Aspiration: As a climbing vine, clematis signifies striving towards goals and the ambition to reach higher, both literally and metaphorically.
- Spiritual Journey: The clematis’s upward growth is sometimes likened to the soul’s journey towards higher awareness or enlightenment in various spiritual traditions.
- Beauty: The 'Marie Boisselot' with its particularly large white flowers, can symbolize purity, elegance, and the simple beauty of nature.
WaterClematis 'Marie Boisselot', commonly known as the Clematis, needs consistent moisture. It should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per week during the growing season. In hotter climates or during particularly dry periods, you may need to water twice a week. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging, but it should remain moist to the touch. During winter dormancy, reduce watering but do not let the soil dry out completely.
LightClematis 'Marie Boisselot' thrives best in a spot where the leaves receive at least six hours of sunlight a day, yet its roots and base are shaded. It's ideal for it to be planted where the foliage can grow into the sun, on a trellis or fence, but the roots are covered or mulched to stay cool and shaded.
TemperatureClematis 'Marie Boisselot' prefers a temperate climate and can generally tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F once established. Their ideal growth occurs with daytime temperatures between 70°F and 85°F. Ensure protection from extreme cold and frost, especially for the root zone.
PruningPruning Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' helps to promote vigorous growth and flowering. It should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It is part of pruning group 2, meaning it primarily blooms on old wood but can also produce flowers on new growth. Prune lightly to shape the plant and remove any dead or weak stems.
CleaningAs needed
SoilClematis 'Marie Boisselot', commonly known as Marie Boisselot clematis, thrives in a well-draining, moisture-retentive soil mix with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of loamy garden soil, compost, and a portion of grit or perlite will provide the roots with the ideal environment for growth, ensuring adequate drainage and fertility.
RepottingMarie Boisselot clematis typically does not need frequent repotting and can often be left undisturbed for several years. Repotting should be considered every 2 to 4 years, or when the plant has outgrown its current container, to refresh the soil and provide additional space for the roots to expand.
Humidity & MistingMarie Boisselot clematis prefers outdoor conditions with natural humidity levels. It does not require high humidity and will thrive in average to high humidity environments typical of outdoor gardens, as long as it has adequate soil moisture and good air circulation.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, cool temps, and trailing support.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to partial shade; provide climbing support.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleClematis 'Marie Boisselot' begins its life cycle from a seed or cutting, germinating or rooting in moist, well-draining soil. After establishing its root system, the vine starts to grow rapidly, using tendrils to climb up supports. The plant enters a vegetative stage with large, green leaves that produce energy through photosynthesis. During late spring to early summer, it blooms with large, white flowers that are crucial for reproduction, attracting pollinators such as bees. Following pollination, the plant produces seed heads with feathery tails that can be dispersed by the wind. Finally, as a perennial, the clematis enters a dormant phase in winter, with above-ground growth dying back, before regenerating the following spring to repeat the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
The Clematis 'Marie Boisselot', also known as Early Large-flowered Clematis, is often propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. This method is typically done during midsummer when the plant has new growth that is beginning to mature but is not yet fully hardened. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy portion of the plant with a few sets of leaves. Cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length just below a leaf node, remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Then insert the cutting into a pot filled with a mixture of perlite and peat moss to encourage root development. The pot should then be placed in a warm location with indirect sunlight and kept consistently moist until roots have developed, which may take several weeks. Once rooted, the cuttings can be potted up individually and grown on until they are large enough to be planted out.
