Clematis terniflora

RHS Plant Profile

sweet autumn clematis

Synonyms

Clematis chinensis misapplied, Clematis thunbergii misapplied, Clematis maximowicziana, Clematis maximowiczii, Clematis dioscoreifolia, Clematis paniculata Thunb., Clematis flammula var. robusta

Climber Wall Shrub

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Strong, vigorous deciduous (semi-evergreen in mild winters) climber 6m tall or more, with hairy stems, semi-woody with age, dark green leaves divided into leaflets carried on long leaf stalks, and large clusters of small fragrant, single, star-shaped, white flowers about 3cm across with cream anthers, flowering from late summer to autumn, followed by attractive seedheads

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi 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: Far East

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. Plant with the crown 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level. See clematis cultivation

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Climber and wall shrubs
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning (clematis) group 3

Pests

May be susceptible to aphid, slug, snail or caterpillar damage on young growth

Diseases

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