Golden Clematis Clematis tangutica
ABOUT
The Golden Clematis is a charming climbing plant known for its distinctive features which contribute to its ornamental appeal. This plant produces an abundance of small, lantern-shaped flowers that are bright yellow. These radiant flowers possess a velvety texture and a lantern-like appearance that dangle elegantly from the vine's foliage. The leaves of the Golden Clematis are composed of multiple leaflets, which create an attractive, compound leaf structure. The leaflets are bright to mid-green, giving the plant a lush and vibrant look throughout its growing season. When it blooms, typically during the warmer months, the profusion of yellow blossoms creates a spectacular display. As the flowering season progresses, the Golden Clematis flowers gradually give way to fluffy, silvery-white seed heads. These seed heads provide a dramatic contrast to the foliage and remain on the plant well into the cooler season, adding winter interest to the garden. These striking seed heads also resemble pom-poms or tufts of hair, adding whimsy to the plant's appearance. Overall, the Golden Clematis is a visually stunning plant that is prized for its unique yellow flowers and decorative seed heads. With its attractive foliage and captivating blooms, it provides an eye-catching show in any garden where it climbs and thrives.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae.
Synonyms
Golden Clematis, Orange Peel Clematis, Golden Tiara, Tangutica Clematis, Tibetan Clematis.
Common names
Atragene sibirica, Atragene tangutica, Clematis orientalis var. tangutica, Clematis tangutica var. obtusiuscula.
ToxicityTo humans
Golden Clematis contains toxic compounds that can be harmful if ingested. While it is not considered one of the most toxic plants, eating parts of Golden Clematis, especially in large quantities, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and salivation. In rare cases, more severe reactions could occur. Contact with the sap of the plant may also cause skin irritation or dermatitis in some individuals. Caution should be exercised to avoid ingestion and skin contact.
To pets
Golden Clematis is also toxic to pets if ingested. The plant contains irritating compounds known as glycosides, which can cause symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets. More severe symptoms could include weakness or tremors. Pets should be prevented from chewing on or ingesting any part of the plant due to these potential toxic effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
12 feet (3.66 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Golden Clematis adds visual interest to gardens with its bright yellow, lantern-shaped flowers and attractive seed heads.
- Habitat Support: It provides food for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.
- Versatility in Landscaping: This plant can be used in a variety of garden settings, such as on trellises, arbors, or as groundcover.
- Seasonal Interest: Golden Clematis has a long blooming period from early summer to fall, offering extended color in the garden.
- Rapid Growth: It’s a fast grower, quickly covering structures and filling in garden spaces.
- Privacy Screen: When grown on fences or trellises, it can provide a natural green barrier for added privacy.
Medical Properties- Antirheumatic - Clematis tangutica may be used in traditional medicine as an antirheumatic agent to help relieve symptoms of rheumatism.
- Anodyne - The plant has been considered to have pain-relieving properties.
- Diuretic - It can promote the production of urine, aiding in the removal of waste from the body.
- Rubefacient - When applied topically, it may cause skin redness and warming, potentially providing relief of pain and inflammation.
- Vesicant - Clematis tangutica has been used to create blisters on the skin as a counter-irritant for the treatment of deeper inflammation or pain.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ornamental Value: Clematis tangutica, commonly known as Golden Clematis, is often used as a decorative climbing plant to adorn walls, arbors, trellises, and pergolas due to its vibrant yellow flowers and attractive silvery seed heads.
- Landscaping: Golden Clematis can be used to create natural privacy screens or living fences when grown along barriers or structures.
- Companion Planting: Some gardeners plant Golden Clematis along with other climbing plants like roses to create a contrast of colors and textures in their gardens.
- Craft Material: The vine of Golden Clematis can be dried and used for weaving small baskets or decorative items.
- Education: Gardeners and educators often use Golden Clematis as an example plant to teach pruning techniques for climbing plants.
- Ecology: Golden Clematis can be included in habitat gardens as it provides shelter and material for nesting for some bird species.
- Wildlife Support: It provides nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, thus playing a role in supporting local ecosystems.
- Erosion Control: Its ability to spread and cover ground can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes.
- Seasonal Interest: Golden Clematis offers year-round visual interest with its flowers in spring and summer and its seed heads in fall and winter.
- Photography: The striking appearance of Golden Clematis, especially when in full bloom, makes it a popular subject for garden photographers.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Golden Clematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Golden Clematis is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Ingenuity and Cleverness: Clematis tangutica, commonly known as golden clematis or golden tiara, often symbolizes mental prowess due to its intricate and intelligent way of climbing and supporting itself.
- Mental Beauty: This plant's showy flowers represent the idea that true beauty comes from within and that intellectual beauty can be as captivating as physical appearance.
- Artistic Inspiration: With its bright yellow blooms and unique seed heads, golden clematis can represent creativity and the blossoming of new ideas, often inspiring artists and thinkers.
- Aspiration and Success: Its vigorous growth habit and tendency to reach for the sky symbolize ambition and the drive to succeed or climb to new heights.
- Spiritual Ascension: In some cultural contexts, the climbing nature of clematis is seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the journey towards enlightenment.
WaterGolden Clematis requires regular watering, particularly during dry spells. Generally speaking, it should be watered thoroughly once a week, with adjustments made depending on weather conditions. Each watering should provide enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of at least an inch. During the hot summer months, you may need to water the plant more frequently, possibly twice a week, especially if the plant is grown in a container. It’s essential to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot, so ensure the soil is well-draining. Roughly one to one and a half gallons of water per week should suffice for an established plant, depending on the size and the environmental conditions.
LightGolden Clematis thrives in a location where it receives full sun to partial shade. Ideally, this vine does well when its base and roots are shaded but the foliage receives ample sunlight. This could be achieved by planting lower-growing plants near its base or by placing a mulch to protect the roots from intense sunlight. An eastern or southern exposure that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight is best to encourage strong growth and ample flowering.
TemperatureGolden Clematis is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, typically thriving in zones 4 to 9. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 55°F and 75°F. It can survive winter cold down to about -30°F and can handle summer heat up to 85°F. To encourage good growth and blooming, maintaining the plant within this temperature range is advisable.
PruningPruning Golden Clematis promotes vigorous growth and improves flowering. It should be pruned in late winter or early spring before active growth begins. Golden Clematis falls into Pruning Group 3, which means it flowers on current year's growth, hence severe pruning can be done without sacrificing blooms. Cut stems back to a set of strong buds about 1 to 2 feet above the ground. This should be done annually to maintain plant health and maximize flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGolden clematis thrives in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A soil mix consisting of equal parts loam, compost, and horticultural grit or perlite fosters robust growth. The addition of compost ensures nutrients, while grit or perlite enhances drainage.
RepottingGolden clematis typically requires repotting every 2 to 3 years. It's best done in the late winter or early spring before active growth starts. They should be repotted when they outgrow their container or the soil has depleted.
Humidity & MistingGolden clematis is adaptable and does not require high humidity levels; average room humidity is typically sufficient. It thrives outdoors where humidity varies naturally.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure ample sunlight and support for climbing.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, mulch well, provide support.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA.
Life cycleClematis tangutica, commonly known as Golden clematis, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in spring after experiencing winter cold stratification. Seedlings establish a root system and produce climbing or trailing vines with compound leaves. In summer, the mature plant blooms with bright yellow, lantern-shaped flowers that can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers develop into fluffy, plumed seed heads which disperse seeds by wind in late summer or fall. Over winter, the plant may die back to the ground, especially in cooler climates, but will resurface from its perennial rootstock the following spring. Throughout its life, Golden clematis can produce multiple blooming cycles in a single growing season, depending on the climate and growing conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Golden Clematis, known scientifically as Clematis tangutica, is commonly propagated through stem cuttings, particularly during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method involves taking semi-hardwood cuttings from the current year's growth. The ideal cutting is about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long and includes at least two sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped into a rooting hormone to enhance the chances of successful root development. The treated cutting is then planted in a well-draining soil mix, placed in indirect light, and kept moist. To maintain high humidity around the cutting, which is beneficial for root growth, a plastic bag or a cloche can be placed over the plant. Roots typically develop after a few weeks, after which the new Clematis plant can gradually be acclimatized to the outdoor conditions before planting in the garden.
