Armand clematis

Armand clematis: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Evergreen climber up to 6 m tall and 3 m wide. It climbs by twisting its leaf stalks around wires and twigs.

Leaves

Leathery and glossy dark green, always in threes, long and narrow leaflets of 10–15 cm. Young leaves are often bronze.

Flowers

White, star-shaped flowers about 5 cm across, in dense clusters along the stems, in March–April.

Scent

Strong and sweet, with hints of vanilla and almond; on a mild spring day you can smell it from afar.

Roots

Like to stay cool and moist, while the plant itself climbs in the sun.

Flowering: March–April · Plants: April–May and September · Pruning: April–May

Why grow it?

• One of the earliest and most fragrant climbers: white flower clusters in March–April.
• Evergreen, so a glossy green wall in winter too.
• Early nectar and pollen for bumblebee queens and other bees.
• The young leaves are a lovely bronze colour.
• Hardly needs pruning: at most a light trim after flowering.

Armand clematis: where does it grow best?

• Sun or light partial shade, preferably against a warm south- or west-facing wall.
• Sheltered from cold east and north winds: they scorch the evergreen leaves.
• Humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out: sand, loam or clay, neutral to chalky.
• Moist; little rain falls at the foot of a wall, so water more there.
• Allow 3 m width and a sturdy support: a mature plant is heavy.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Normal

Size

6 m tall, 3 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -15 °C)

Goes well with

• Lenten rose: Flowers at the same time at its feet.
• Daffodil: Yellow spring flowers beneath the white clusters.
• Climbing rose: Adds summer flowers on the same wall.
• Star jasmine: A second evergreen, fragrant climber that flowers in summer.

Armand clematis: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May and September.

1. Plant in April–May or in September, so it can root well before winter.
2. First fix strong wires or a trellis to the wall, a few centimetres from the brickwork.
3. Dig a hole 40 × 40 cm, 30–40 cm from the wall, and mix in a generous spadeful of compost.
4. Set the plant about 5 cm deeper than it was in the pot, lean it towards the support and tie the stems in gently.
5. Firm in and water generously, at least a full watering can.
6. Mulch the base or lay a few flat stones over it to keep the roots cool.

Care

Watering

Weekly in dry weather in the first year. Afterwards too in dry spells, as little rain reaches the foot of a wall.

Feeding

In April, after flowering, a layer of compost or a little organic fertiliser around the base.

Mulching

A layer of compost or leaf mould keeps the base cool and moist.

Tying in

In summer, tie new shoots in fanned out; otherwise everything grows upwards and the plant becomes top-heavy.

Brown leaves

In summer old leaves turn brown and drop. That is normal; remove them if you want the plant to look tidy.

Tip: Plant it against a sheltered, sunny wall, ideally near a door or window: in March you will smell the flowers every time you step outside.

Armand clematis: when to prune it?

Pruning months: April–May.

When: At most a light trim, straight after flowering in April–May, because it flowers on last year’s wood.

How:

• Shorten flowered stems that are too long to keep them within the space you allow.
• Remove dead stems and the mass of brown leaves inside the plant.
• Better a little every year than a hard cut now and then: it does not respond well to hard pruning.
• After pruning, tie in the new shoots fanned out.

Caution: If you prune in summer, autumn or winter, you cut off next spring’s flowers.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Semi-ripe cuttings

In July–August: pieces of stem with one leaf joint, in moist cutting compost under plastic in a warm spot. They root within a few weeks to a few months.

Layering

In spring, bend a stem down to the ground, cover a leaf joint with soil and weigh it down with a stone. Sever it after a year.

Armand clematis: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −15 °C: protect young plants.

• Hardy to about −15 °C. Against a sheltered wall that is enough in most Belgian winters.
• In severe frost and cold east winds the leaves can turn brown and some stems may die. Cover young plants with fleece then.
• Mulch the base in autumn to protect the roots.
• In a pot it is vulnerable: wrap the pot in hessian and stand it in a corner against the house.

Diseases and pests

• Brown leaves in summer: Old leaves turn brown and fall: that is normal. Only if young leaves turn brown is something wrong.
• Wind and frost damage: After a cold winter the leaves are brown and dried out. In April, after flowering, cut out what is dead; the plant usually regrows.
• Top-heavy and bare below: Everything grows upwards. Tie shoots in fanned out and plant low plants in front of the bare base.
• Aphids: On young shoots in spring. Hose them off.

Through the year

• January: In severe frost, cover young plants with fleece.
• February: The buds swell. Keep fleece handy in cold east winds.
• March: In flower with a strong scent. Food for the first bumblebees.
• April: Last flowers. Planting. Prune lightly straight after flowering and give compost.
• May: Planting. Pruning is still possible. Tie in new shoots.
• June: Tie shoots in fanned out. Water in dry weather.
• July: Take semi-ripe cuttings. Remove old brown leaves.
• August: Water in dry weather. Cuttings can still be taken.
• September: Planting.
• October: Mulch the base before winter.

Edible and useful

Not edible. All parts of clematis are poisonous: when the plant is damaged it releases protoanemonin, an acrid substance also found in buttercups and anemones. On the skin the sap can cause redness, itching and blisters, especially in people who often prune with bare hands; in the mouth it causes a burning feeling, drooling, vomiting and stomach ache. The acrid, bitter taste puts off most people and animals, but keep small children, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs away from the plant and the clippings. Horses and other livestock can eat more of it if they reach a clematis over the fence or find the clippings: do not plant it along a field, and never throw the clippings into a field, pen or hutch. Wear gloves when pruning and tying in, and wash your hands afterwards. If any is swallowed, call a poison centre (in Belgium 070 245 245) or your doctor at once.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• It is named after Armand David, a French missionary and naturalist who collected plants in China in the 19th century. He also brought the giant panda to the attention of Western scientists.
• If you do not know it, you would hardly recognise it as a clematis: the leaves are long, narrow, leathery and green all year.
• It flowers as early as March, when bumblebee queens are just emerging from hibernation and urgently need food.