Anemone clematis

Anemone clematis: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Vigorous climber up to 8 m tall and 4 m wide. It climbs by twisting its leaf stalks around wires and branches.

Leaves

Made up of three toothed leaflets. In var. rubens and related varieties the young leaves are bronze to purplish.

Flowers

Flowers 5–6 cm across, with four broad white or pink ‘petals’ around a ring of yellow stamens. They open en masse in May–June.

Scent

Light and sweet, clearly vanilla in some varieties; strongest on a warm day.

Roots

Like to be cool and moist; a shaded base is ideal.

Flowering: May–June · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: June

Why grow it?

• An overwhelming display in May–June: a wall or tree becomes a curtain of flowers.
• Grows fast and covers a large, ugly wall, shed or fence within a few years.
• The flowers are lightly scented and attract bees and bumblebees.
• Little work: pruning is not needed and it rarely suffers from clematis wilt.
• Flowers on north- or east-facing walls too.

Anemone clematis: where does it grow best?

• Sun or partial shade; it also flowers well on a north- or east-facing wall.
• Humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out: sand, loam or clay, neutral to chalky.
• Moist; against a wall or under a tree the soil dries out quickly.
• Give it a strong support: a mature plant is heavy. A pergola, sturdy mesh, a shed or an old tree is ideal.
• Allow 3–4 m width. Keep it away from gutters and roof tiles.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Normal

Size

8 m tall, 4 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -20 °C)

Goes well with

• Apple tree: An old fruit tree makes a beautiful host: in May they flower together.
• Lenten rose: Flowers earlier at its feet and likes the same cool soil.
• Ferns: Keep the base cool and green.
• Spring bulbs: Flower at its feet before the clematis begins its big show.

Anemone clematis: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant in March–May or September–October. Soak the pot in a bucket of water for a quarter of an hour first.
2. Dig a hole 40 × 40 cm and mix in a generous spadeful of compost. Against a wall, plant 50 cm out from it.
3. By a tree, plant at least 1 m from the trunk, where the soil is less dry, and guide it to the trunk with a rope or cane.
4. Set the plant about 5 cm deeper than it was in the pot and lean it towards its support.
5. Firm in and water generously, at least a full watering can.
6. Mulch the base or plant low plants in front to keep the roots cool.

Care

Watering

Weekly in dry weather in the first year. After that only in prolonged drought, especially under a tree.

Feeding

In March, a layer of compost or a little organic fertiliser around the base is enough.

Mulching

A layer of compost or leaf mould in spring keeps the base cool.

Training

For the first two years, guide young shoots to the support and spread them out widely. After that it manages on its own.

Deadheading

Not needed. The faded flowers drop by themselves.

Tip: Give it a strong support and plenty of room, and if you must prune, do so only straight after flowering: it will then flower en masse every year.

Anemone clematis: when to prune it?

Pruning months: June.

When: It does not need pruning. If it must be kept smaller, prune straight after flowering, in June, because it flowers on last year’s wood.

How:

• After flowering, cut back stems that grow too far to within the space you allow it.
• Remove dead and tangled stems so it does not become a heavy, matted mass.
• Clear it out of gutters, off roof tiles and away from windows.
• A neglected plant can be cut back hard after flowering, but it does not always regrow from very old wood: preferably spread such renovation over a few years.

Caution: Never prune in winter or early spring: you would cut off this year’s flower buds.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Layering

In spring it almost always works: lay a long stem on the ground, cover a leaf joint with soil and weigh it down with a stone. Sever it after a year.

Cuttings

In May–June: pieces of young stem with one leaf joint in moist cutting compost under plastic. They root within a few weeks.

Anemone clematis: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −20 °C.

• Hardy in Belgium to about −20 °C: no protection needed.
• A severe late frost in April can damage flower buds; the plant itself is not harmed.
• Mulch the base of young plants in autumn.
• It is too vigorous for a pot: preferably plant it in open ground.

Diseases and pests

• Too vigorous: Left alone it becomes a heavy, tangled mass that can damage gutters and roof tiles. Cut it back in good time after flowering.
• Late frost: Brown, shrivelled buds after a cold night in April. Nothing to be done; next year it will flower normally.
• Aphids: On young shoots in spring. Hose them off; ladybirds help.
• Bare base: The lower stems become bare and woody. Plant low shrubs or perennials in front.

Through the year

• March: Planting. Compost and mulch around the base.
• April: Planting. Guide young shoots to the support.
• May: Full flower, lightly scented. Planting is still possible. Take cuttings.
• June: Last flowers. Prune straight after flowering if needed.
• July: Water young plants in dry weather.
• August: Water in dry weather, especially under a tree.
• September: Planting.
• October: Planting. Mulch the base of young plants.
• December: Resting. Do not prune: the flower buds are already on the stems.

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?

• Montana is Latin for ‘of the mountains’: in the Himalaya it grows wild in mountain forests.
• Its English name, anemone clematis, refers to the flowers, which look like those of an anemone.
• In an old tree it climbs high into the crown and hangs down in May like a curtain of flowers.