Hyacinth-flower clematis
Clematis heracleifolia · Ranunculaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Genre Clematis riche en ranunculosides ; chiens, chats et enfants risquent irritation muqueuse et troubles digestifs par ingestion.
The gardener's calendar
Hyacinth-flower clematis is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Heracleifolia clematis
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous climbing plant
- Flowering
- August to September
- Adult height
- Up to 1 m
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Temperate Asia (China)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Clematis heracleifolia is herbaceous, not woody; cut it back to 10 cm in February before growth resumes. It loves shade at the base (mulch generously) while needing plenty of light at the top.
The common mistake
Treating it like a classic climbing clematis and not pruning it short; it becomes bare and ages poorly.
The pro's trick
Spread organic mulch at the base in March: this maintains soft, regular moisture and regulates root temperature, essential for its success.
Seasonal watch
In September, check for slugs and snails on young leaves; installing an insect net in May-June reduces damage.
Care
Exposure
Plant this clematis in part shade or partial sun. It tolerates direct sun but prefers a spot where the foliage stays cool in summer. Avoid locations that are too hot and dry.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist, especially during the growing and flowering period. In summer, water more generously during dry spells. Reduce watering in winter but don't let the soil dry out completely.
Soil
This clematis appreciates rich, well-draining soil with some humus. Improve poor soil with compost or potting mix at planting time. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil is ideal, but it adapts to various pH levels.
Pruning and training
Cut the plant back to 30-50 cm from the ground in late winter or early spring, as it flowers on new shoots. Remove dead wood and weak stems. During growth, guide the flexible stems onto a support with soft ties.
Fertilization
Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in spring. During the flowering period, monthly applications of diluted fertilizer encourage better flower production. Stop fertilizing in autumn.
Diseases and pests
This clematis is generally very disease-resistant. Watch for powdery mildew in humid, warm conditions; ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage. Root rot can occur in overly compact or poorly drained soil.
Did you know?
Heracleifolia clematis owes its name to its leaves, which resemble those of Cow Parsnip (Heracleum), a very different umbelliferous plant. Long underappreciated in Western Europe, this Chinese species has become very popular with modern gardeners, especially thanks to its small, delicately scented lavender-blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies in late summer.
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
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.