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Climber Wall Shrub

Clematis vitalba
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

traveller's joy

A very vigorous climber to a height of 7m plus, with mid- to dark green foliage, flowering from mid-summer to early autumn. Clusters of small, four-petalled, creamy-white flowers, with a green tinge and prominent white stamens, are followed by long-lasting ,silky seedheads

Other common names
beggar's plant
bind-with
see morebiting clematis
devil's twine
hedge vine
lady's bower
love
maiden's hair
maiden's honesty
old man
old man's beard
smoke weed
smoking cane
virgin's bower
white vine
cudd y coed
Synonyms
Clematis virginiana misapplied
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green Green
Autumn White Green Green Grey Silver
Winter Grey Silver
Position
  • Full shade
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
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
Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Will thrive in a wide range of soils and situations. See clematis cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in containers in a cold frame, or by rooting softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer. Layering can be carried out in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Pruning (clematis) group 3

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 and clematis slime flux

Get involved

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