Practical
Plants

Clematis flammula

Fragrant Virgin's Bower

a deciduous member of the Clematis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
4 m
Spread
4 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant are poisonous, the toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying[17].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked[8][2][6]. Some caution is advised due to reports of toxicity[K].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as ground cover, planted about 1.2 metres apart and allowed to scramble over the ground[11].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber, Soil surface

Environment

Range
S. Europe. An infrequent casual in Britain[5].
Habitat
Hedges, thickets and waste places[19].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4][9]. Sow stored seed as soon as it is obtained in a cold frame. Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible[4]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[4]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, late spring in sandy soil in a frame[9]. Cuttings of half-ripe inter-nodal cuttings, June/July in a frame[10]. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[9]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep moist well-drained soil with its roots in the shade[7][9]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[3][9]. Dislikes light sandy soils[3]. Does well on chalk[1]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[9]. Thrives in exposed positions[7]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[10]. A twining plant[7], it is fast growing[10]. The leafstalks wrap themselves around twigs and branches for support. When a side of the stalk touches an object, the growth on that side slows down whilst the other side grows at its normal rate - this causes the leaf stalk to entwine the object it is touching[12]. When planting out, in order to avoid the disease 'clematis wilt', it is best to plant the rootball about 8cm deeper in the soil. This will also serve to build up a good root crown of growth buds[9]. A very ornamental plant[1], the flowers are very fragrant[10]. They have a pronounced smell of meadowsweet, almost too powerful when inhaled close-up[15]. They are produced on the current season's growth and so any pruning of the plant is best carried out in the spring before new growth begins[13]. Plants rarely produce fertile seed in Britain[13]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[16]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[14]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[18][9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  12. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

  13. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  14. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  15. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  16. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  17. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  18. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

  19. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩

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