Sweet Autumn Clematis Clematis × aromatica
ABOUT
Clematis × aromatica is a flowering plant known for its beautifully fragrant blooms. The plant exhibits a climbing habit, often using tendrils to grasp onto nearby supports and structures. This enables it to grow vertically and spread, presenting a lush appearance in garden settings. The leaves of Clematis × aromatica are typically green, and they are divided into several leaflets that create an appealing textural background for the flowers. The leaflets are usually elongated with pointed tips, providing a delicate and lacey foliage that is very attractive in and of itself. The most striking feature of this plant is its flowers. They are small to medium-sized and are known to be profuse when the plant is in bloom. The flowers are shaped like open stars or bells, depending on the specific variety, and they often boast a rich array of colors that may include shades of purple, blue, pink, or sometimes white. The petals are soft and may have a velvety or satin-like texture with a tendency to curl elegantly at the edges. In the center of each flower, there is often a contrasting tuft of stamens, which adds to the ornamental appeal of the plant. The stamens are typically a different color and stand out against the petals, attracting pollinators to the blooms. The fragrance of the Clematis × aromatica's flowers is another captivating characteristic. It is considered one of the plant's main attractions, offering a sweet and pleasant scent that can perfume the air, especially during the early morning and evening hours. The aroma is strong enough to draw in not only garden visitors but also local wildlife, such as bees and butterflies. Together, the climbing growth habit, the lush green leaves, the beautiful and fragrant flowers, and the presence of pollinators give Clematis × aromatica a romantic appeal that graces any garden or outdoor space with a touch of charm and natural beauty.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae.
Synonyms
Fragrant Virgin's Bower, Aromatic Clematis.
Common names
Clematis × aromatica.
ToxicityTo humans
Clematis, which includes the Clematis × aromatica, can be toxic to humans if ingested. It contains compounds that can cause irritant effects. The ingestion of plant parts can lead to symptoms like salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, it may result in internal bleeding. Skin contact with the sap may also cause skin irritation or dermatitis.
To pets
Clematis is also toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Similar to humans, ingestion can result in symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, seizures or collapse. The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on the amount ingested, and it is important to seek veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.9 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
Varies
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Clematis × aromatica offers aesthetic enhancement to gardens with its distinctly fragrant flowers.
- Garden Diversity: Introducing this plant to a garden can increase biodiversity, supporting a wider range of insects and birds.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are crucial for pollinating other plants within the garden ecosystem.
- Vertical Interest: Clematis × aromatica can be trained to climb up trellises, walls, and fences, providing vertical accents in landscape design.
- Seasonal Color: It blooms prolifically, typically in shades of purple, adding color and visual interest during its flowering season.
- Privacy Screen: When grown on structures, it can create a living screen, offering privacy and shade to garden areas and patios.
- Space Efficient: Due to its climbing habit, it is an excellent choice for gardens with limited horizontal space, allowing for greenery to expand upwards.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Clematis × aromatica can be used as a natural dye, with parts of the plant yielding subtle hues to fabrics when properly prepared.
- The vine can be trained to climb on trellises or pergolas, providing a quick and attractive cover that also benefits local ecosystems.
- When dried, the leaves and flowers of Clematis × aromatica can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a mild scent and decorative appearance.
- This plant can be used in crafting and jewelry-making, with blossoms and vines woven into wearable art pieces or home decor items.
- The long vines of Clematis × aromatica can be used in basketry, twisted and woven into intricate patterns due to their flexibility and strength.
- The plant can serve as a visual screen, creating privacy in garden spaces with its dense foliage when planted closely.
- Clematis × aromatica is employed in educational settings, such as botany classes, to teach plant growth habits and reproductive biology.
- The subtle beauty of the plant can be utilized in photography and painting, serving as an inspiring subject for artists and nature photographers.
- Used in landscape design, Clematis × aromatica can play a role in creating theme gardens, such as 'moon gardens' with white and silver plants.
- Clematis × aromatica can function as a natural mulch when pruned, with the falling leaves decomposing to enrich the soil with organic matter.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Clematis is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Clematis is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Intellectual Beauty: Clematis is often associated with mental prowess and the beauty of thought, representing the idea that true beauty comes from within and through intellectual achievements.
- Creative Expression: The plant's artistic-looking flowers could symbolize the creativity of the human spirit, encouraging individuals to express themselves and their artistic endeavors.
- Aspiration and Perseverance: With its ability to climb and cling to structures, clematis is sometimes seen as a symbol for those who aspire to greater heights and persevere in their endeavors.
- Spiritual Exploration: The intricate nature of the clematis’ blooms can also symbolize a quest for deeper understanding or spiritual expansion.
WaterClematis, commonly known as Old Man's Beard, requires regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season in spring and summer, water the plant with about 1 gallon per week, ensuring you're soaking the soil thoroughly at the base to encourage deep root growth. The frequency may need to increase during prolonged dry spells or extreme heat, possibly to twice a week. During the fall and less active winter months, reduce watering to every few weeks or when the soil feels dry to touch, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
LightOld Man's Beard thrives in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade. A location with morning sunlight and afternoon shade is ideal, as this will protect the plant from the intense heat of the day. Ensure that the plant gets at least six hours of sunlight a day for optimal growth and flowering.
TemperatureOld Man's Beard prefers moderate temperatures and can typically survive in a range between 25°F and 85°F. Frost can damage young shoots, so it's important to provide some protection if temperatures dip below freezing. The ideal temperature range for promoting good growth is between 55°F and 75°F.
PruningPruning Old Man's Beard is necessary to encourage strong growth and flowering. Prune in late winter or early spring before active growth begins, removing any dead or weak stems. Cut back the remaining stems to strong buds to stimulate new growth. The plant benefits from a hard pruning every few years to rejuvenate and maintain a desirable size.
CleaningAs needed
SoilClematis, also known as Traveller's Joy, thrives best in well-draining, moisture-retentive soil with a balanced pH around 6.5 to 7.0. A good mix would be one part compost, one part perlite or sand, and two parts garden soil or potting mix. This ensures proper drainage while retaining enough moisture to keep the roots healthy.
RepottingTraveller's Joy should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to ensure it has enough room for growth. Use fresh soil mix when repotting to replenish nutrients. The best time to repot is in late winter or early spring before active growth begins.
Humidity & MistingTraveller's Joy prefers a moderate humidity level, typically between 50% and 70%. While it is adaptable to varying outdoor humidity levels, maintaining this range will support optimal growth and flowering.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow Traveller's Joy in bright indirect light, ensuring good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant Traveller's Joy in partial shade or sunlight, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Clematis × aromatica, commonly known as Fragrant Clematis, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in favorable conditions, typically requiring well-draining soil and some sunlight. The seedling grows into a young plant, developing a strong root system and vine-like stems that seek support structures to climb. As the plant matures, it produces compound leaves with leaflets in an opposite arrangement. After reaching maturity, Fragrant Clematis blooms in late spring to summer, producing small, usually violet or purple, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Once pollinated, the plant sets seed in the form of achenes, each with a feathery tail that aids in wind dispersal. The perennial nature of Clematis × aromatica ensures that it can go through this flowering and seeding cycle annually for several years, with proper care and pruning encouraging vigorous growth and abundant blooms.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Clematis × aromatica, often known as the Fragrant Clematis, is a popular garden plant valued for its pleasant scent and attractive flowers. The most popular method of propagation for Fragrant Clematis is by semi-hardwood cuttings, usually performed during the summer months when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, a gardener should select a healthy stem that has just finished blooming and cut a section 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 cm) long. The bottom end of the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth and then planted in a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite for drainage. The cutting should be placed in indirect light and kept consistently moist until roots develop, a process that usually takes several weeks. After rooting, the new plant can be acclimated to outdoor conditions and eventually transplanted into the garden.
