Solitary clematis
Clematis integrifolia · Ranunculaceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
⚠️ Genre Clematis riche en ranunculosides ; chiens, chats et enfants risquent irritation muqueuse et troubles digestifs par ingestion.
The gardener's calendar
Solitary clematis is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Clematis integrifolia
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous clematis, semi-climbing
- Flowering
- June to September
- Mature height
- Approximately 100 cm tall
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Caucasus region and Central Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Clematis integrifolia is herbaceous and non-climbing. Cut back hard in February (10 cm).
The common mistake
Leaving it untrimmed in winter creates a bare, aged stump without generous flowering.
The pro's trick
In May, pinch young stems at 30 cm to force branching; you'll get better flower production in July.
Seasonal watch
In August-September, slugs love young shoots; a light geotextile net from June to July greatly reduces damage.
Care
Sunlight
Position your entire-leaved clematis in full sun to part shade. It prefers a location where it receives at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sun daily. Light afternoon shade in very hot regions is welcome to keep its roots cool.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, particularly when flowering. Water deeply once or twice weekly depending on climate conditions, avoiding waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter once growth slows.
Soil and planting
Choose rich, well-draining, and slightly moist soil. Enrich the substrate with compost or potting soil at planting. Mulching at the base helps retain moisture and protect roots from temperature fluctuations.
Pruning and training
Prune stems in early spring to remove dead wood and encourage compact branching. This herbaceous clematis naturally develops a bushy shape; light cutting after autumn flowering boosts future vigour. Remove spent flowers to extend blooming.
Fertiliser
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertiliser at the start of growth (April-May). An additional application in June-July supports abundant flowering. Prefer organic feeds or gentle formulations for gradual nutrition.
Diseases and pests
This clematis is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in hot, dry weather: improve air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage. Root rot can occur with poor drainage; ensure an aerated substrate and measured watering.
Did you know?
Clematis integrifolia fascinates botanists with its atypical herbaceous habit within the Clematis genus: unlike typical woody clematis, it behaves as a semi-climbing plant that cascades gracefully, making it exceptional for border compositions. Its Latin name "integrifolia" (entire leaves) distinguishes it from cousins with toothed foliage. In Central Asia, where it thrives in the wild, it has long been cherished for adorning mountain gardens.
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.