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Climber Wall Shrub

Clematis cirrhosa
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

evergreen clematis

A early-flowering, evergreen climber, to 3m tall, the dark green leaves, slightly bronze beneath have 3 leaflets. The single, open cup to bell-shaped pale yellow to cream flowers, sometimes flecked red inside, to 7cm across are borne from late winter into early spring and followed by silky seedheads

Other common names
Spanish traveller's joy
Spanish wild cucumber
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Cream Yellow Green Bronze
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (rabbits): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Clematis can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or herbaceous perennials, mostly climbing by twining leaf-stalks, and often with showy flowers. Some have attractive fluffy seedheads in autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
S Europe, Medit.

How to grow

Cultivation

Requires a warm, sheltered position to flower well, though it thrives in any fertile, well-drained soil. Plant with the crown at soil level. In cold areas, grow in a container and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See clematis cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in early summer or propagate by layering in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wall side borders
  • Climber and wall shrubs
Pruning

Pruning (Clematis) Group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, snails and caterpillars; petals may be eaten by earwigs

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), clematis wilt (rarely) and clematis slime flux

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