Clematis Clematis 'The President' (EL)
ABOUT
Clematis 'The President' is a striking perennial vine known for its large, impressive flowers. The blossoms are an intense shade of purple with a velvety texture, each petal boasting a regal hue that fades slightly towards their ruffled edges, creating a mesmerizing gradient effect. In the center of each flower, a cluster of pale yellow stamens adds a dramatic contrast, lending a pop of color that stands out against the dark petals. These flowers can have a sizable appearance, giving the plant a lush, full look when in bloom. The leaves of 'The President' are green and tend to be compound, with individual leaflets that have a bright, fresh appearance and smooth edges, adding to the overall lushness of the vine. With its climbing habit, Clematis 'The President' uses tendrils to grasp onto structures, which can contribute to a vertical display of cascading flowers when the plant is in peak flowering season. The display of blooms is typically most prolific in late spring to early summer, with the possibility of a second, though less abundant, flowering occurring later in the season. Overall, Clematis 'The President' is celebrated for its commanding floral presence and vibrant coloration, which make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance and drama to trellises, arbors, walls, or other garden structures where a climber is desired.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae.
Synonyms
President Clematis, The President, Clematis 'The President'.
Common names
Clematis 'The President' (EL)
ToxicityTo humans
Clematis, including the variety 'The President,' contain compounds that can be potentially harmful if ingested. These plants can cause mild symptoms such as mouth irritation, digestive upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the sap can sometimes lead to skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Ingesting significant quantities can lead to more severe digestive tract symptoms. It is advisable to avoid consuming any part of the clematis plant.
To pets
Clematis, also for pets, can be considered mildly toxic. If ingested, it can cause symptoms like excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in animals such as dogs and cats. The irritation is generally due to the presence of protoanemonin, an irritant compound found in the plant. Skin contact with the sap may also cause dermatitis in some pets. It's important to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting any part of the clematis plant to avoid these adverse effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
3 feet (1 meter)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
China, Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Blooms: Clematis 'The President' is known for its striking, large, purple-blue flowers that can add visual appeal to any garden.
- Extended Blooming Season: This variety of clematis often blooms from late spring through early autumn, offering a lengthy display of color.
- Versatile Climber: It can be trained to climb trellises, fences, arbors, and other structures, adding vertical interest to the landscape.
- Compact Growth: 'The President' has a manageable growth habit, making it suitable for smaller spaces and easier to maintain than more vigorous clematis varieties.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Easy to Propagate: Gardeners can propagate the plant by softwood cuttings or layering, making it simple to create more plants for the garden or to share with others.
- Adaptable: It can thrive in a variety of soil types, as long as the soil is well-draining.
- Hardy: As a hardy perennial, Clematis 'The President' can survive through cold winters, making it suitable for a range of climates.
- Pruning Group 2: This clematis falls into Pruning Group 2, which means it's relatively easy to prune for health and optimal flowering.
- Resistant to Clematis Wilt: 'The President' shows a degree of resistance to clematis wilt, a disease that can be problematic for other clematis varieties.
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 'The President' can be used in floral arrangements. Its long-lasting flowers provide an elegant touch to bouquets and centerpieces.
- The vine's twining stems can be trained over arbors and pergolas, not only as a decorative element but also to provide a natural shade canopy.
- By planting Clematis 'The President' near fences, it can serve as a living privacy screen, softening the look of the boundary with its foliage and blooms.
- The plant has potential use in educational gardens to demonstrate plant training techniques such as espalier or fan-training against flat surfaces.
- Used in sensory gardens, the flowers offer a tactile experience due to their unique textures which can be interesting for visitors to touch and feel.
- Clematis can be used in theme gardens, especially to create a ‘presidential’ or regal-themed area due to the plant’s namesake and impressive blooms.
- Incorporated into vertical gardening concepts, the Clematis can add another layer of planting to urban spaces where ground area is limited.
- Gardeners can also use the spent blooms and seed heads in dried flower arrangements, enhancing the interest and diversity of textures in the display.
- Clematis 'The President' can act as a host plant for certain species of butterflies, offering a habitat and nourishment for caterpillars.
- When included in a moon garden, which features plants that are attractive at night, the bright flowers can reflect moonlight and create a glowing effect.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe clematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe clematis is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Artistic Inspiration: Clematis 'The President' is hailed for its striking flowers, which often symbolize creativity and the muse for many artists.
- Intellectual Aspirations: As 'The President' suggests leadership and achievement, this plant can be seen as a representation of aspirations in mental or intellectual pursuits.
- Mental Agility: The vigor and growth habit of the clematis symbolize mental agility and the ability to navigate complex ideas with ease.
- Spiritual Quest: Due to its upward growth, the clematis can be associated with the spiritual journey, symbolizing seeking higher truths or enlightenment.
- Beauty and Aesthetics: The clematis, especially 'The President' cultivar with its large, beautiful flowers, often symbolizes the appreciation of beauty and natural aesthetics.
WaterTo ensure the Clematis 'The President', commonly known as The President Clematis, thrives, it should be watered once a week with about 1 gallon of water. During the hot summer months or in dryer climates, watering may need to be increased to twice a week to maintain moist, but not waterlogged, soil. It's important to water deeply and directly at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth and avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. In the winter, reduce watering to every couple of weeks, depending on climate and soil conditions, as the plant requires less moisture during dormancy.
LightThe President Clematis prefers a location with partial to full sunlight, making it essential to provide it with about 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth and bloom production. Ideally, it should be planted in a spot where the roots are shaded or mulched, and the vines can climb towards the sun, as this mimics their natural growing conditions and promotes a healthy, flowering vine.
TemperatureThe President Clematis thrives in temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit but it can survive in temperatures as low as 20 degrees and as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure the plant's health, it should not be exposed to extreme temperatures for prolonged periods, and providing it with winter mulch can help protect the root system from freezing temperatures.
PruningPrune The President Clematis to promote vigorous growth and enhance flowering. It should be lightly pruned in late winter or early spring, removing dead or weak stems and cutting back just above a pair of strong buds about 1-2 feet off the ground. This type is in Group 2 for pruning, meaning it produces flowers on old and new wood, so be careful not to over-prune, as this could result in fewer blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Clematis 'The President' is well-draining, moisture-retentive, and rich in organic matter. A combination of loamy garden soil, compost, and well-rotted manure, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, is ideal to ensure healthy growth and flowering.
RepottingClematis 'The President' typically does not need frequent repotting as it is a perennial vine. Repotting every 2 to 3 years, or when the root system outgrows the current container, is sufficient, always ensuring to provide ample space for root development.
Humidity & MistingClematis 'The President' grows best in outdoor conditions where it can get natural humidity. It does not require high humidity levels; average outdoor humidity is often sufficient for this plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temperatures, and a tall support.
Outdoor
Provide sunny spot, mulch root zone, and stable climbing support.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleClematis 'The President' begins its life cycle when the seeds are sown in moist soil and germinate. The seedlings grow into juvenile vines, developing foliage and a root system. As the plant matures, it enters its vegetative stage, producing long, climbing stems that need support to thrive. Upon reaching maturity, Clematis 'The President' produces large, purple-blue flowers from late spring to early autumn, attracting pollinators. After flowering, the plant forms seed heads, which eventually release seeds, completing the cycle. During winter, the plant lies dormant, with the vine's above-ground parts dying back, but it will regrow from the base in the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter to early spring
The popular method for propagating Clematis 'The President' is by semi-hardwood cuttings. This typically occurs during the midsummer months when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate, select a vigorous stem and make a cutting about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, ensuring it includes at least two sets of leaf nodes. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, and maintain consistent moisture. Covering the cutting with a plastic bag or dome can help retain humidity. With proper care, roots will typically form within a few months, after which the new plant can be transplanted.
