Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie' (Ta)

RHS Plant Profile
clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'

Synonyms

Clematis orientalis 'Bill MacKenzie'
Clematis tangutica 'Bill MacKenzie'

Award of Garden Merit
Climber Wall Shrub

A large, vigorous deciduous climber with finely-cut leaves. Flowers 6-7cm in width with four thick, spreading bright yellow sepals surrounding dark stamens from early to late summer. Good silky seed-heads

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
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
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Tangutica Group consists of deciduous climbers with ternate or pinnate leaves and small, bell- or star-shaped flowers appearing on the current year's growth in summer and early autumn

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in a 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 (2-3in) deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level. See clematis cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by layering or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

See clematis pruning: group three. Cut back hard before growth begins in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, slugs and snails

Diseases

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