Fragrant clematis
Clematis flammula · Ranunculaceae
📷 Roger Culos · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant fragrant clematis: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- August to October
- Adult size
- 4 to 6 meters in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean Europe and Asia Minor
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Expert tips
The key tip
Plante la clématite flammette en sol bien drainé et enrichi de compost : elle déteste l'asphyxie racinaire et pourrit rapidement en terrain lourd. Arrose régulièrement le premier été pour que les racines s'établissent, puis modère en hiver. Les deux premiers ans, paille le pied pour protéger les racines du froid et garder la fraîcheur de la terre.
The common mistake
La majorité des jardiniers la tuent par un sol trop lourd ou un excès d'eau stagnante. Si tu plantes dans une argile dense sans amendement, les racines pourriront avant que la plante ne décolle vraiment.
The pro's trick
Installe un petit tuteur ou un grillage fin à proximité immédiate lors de la plantation : cette clématite s'accroche mieux et se branche davantage si elle a un support tendre à proximité dès son jeune âge, plutôt que d'attendre qu'elle soit grande et peu ramifiée.
Seasonal watch
En automne-hiver, surveille l'accumulation d'eau au pied après les pluies prolongées : elle est plus sensible que d'autres clématites à la pourriture du collet en conditions humides persistantes. Assure-toi que l'eau s'évacue bien.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, especially in summer and during flowering. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in autumn and limit it in winter, except during prolonged drought.
Exposure
Plant your flammula clematis in a sunny to partially shaded location, ideally with flowers in full sun. Choose a spot near a support structure (trellis, pergola) where it can flourish freely.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove dead branches. In late winter or early spring, perform more severe pruning by cutting stems back to 30-50 cm from the ground to encourage vigorous regrowth.
Fertilization
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. Add a potassium-rich fertilizer in late summer to support flowering and strengthen the plant before winter.
Soil preparation
Enrich the soil with well-decomposed compost or potting soil at planting time. Ensure optimal drainage by adding sand or gravel if needed. A surface mulch helps maintain moisture and regulate root temperature.
Diseases and pests
Watch for powdery mildew in warm, humid weather: promote good air circulation by pruning regularly. Aphids may occasionally appear; treat them quickly if necessary. Excess moisture can cause rot: ensure good drainage and air circulation.
Did you know?
The flammula clematis takes its Latin name from 'flamma' (flame), referring to its small, delicately scented cream-white flowers that appear in late summer and resemble tiny flames. Long used in traditional medicine, especially in Southern Europe, it was reputed for its diuretic and purifying properties, though its use requires caution.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Stinking helleboreHelleborus foetidus
- Meadow rueThalictrum aquilegiifolium
- Christmas roseHelleborus niger
- Grecian windflowerAnemone blanda
- Lenten roseHelleborus orientalis
- Hubei AnemoneEriocapitella hupehensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.