Common Name: Fragrant Virgin's Bower

General Information

Clematis flammula is a vigorous, deciduous climbing plant with woody stems growing up to 5 metres tall. The stems branch freely, the plant forming dense entanglements[].
The plant is possibly harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its exuberant show of scented flowers in late summer and early autumn. With its branching, scrambling habit the plant also makes an effective ground cover.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

, 200,

Range

Throughout the Mediterranean region, east to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan

Habitat

Bushy places, hedgerows, thickets, rocky hill slopes and waste places, sometimes sprawling down banks or on rocks, or growing on old walls[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Clematis flammula is native to mediterranean and warm temperate, often semi-arid climates. A moderately cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -15 to -20°c[, ].
Prefers a deep moist well-drained soil with its roots in the shade[, ]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[, ]. Dislikes light sandy soils[]. Does well on chalk[]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[]. Thrives in exposed positions[].
A twining plant[], it is fast growing[]. 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[].
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[].
A very ornamental plant[], the flowers are very fragrant[]. They have a pronounced smell of meadowsweet, almost too powerful when inhaled close-up[]. 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[].
Plants rarely produce fertile seed in Britain[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[, , ]. Some caution is advised due to reports of toxicity[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

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

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[, ]. 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[]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[]. 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[].
Cuttings of half-ripe inter-nodal cuttings, early to mid summer in a frame[].
Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[].
Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[].