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Ranunculaceae FAMILY

Clematis connata

Clematis connata

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some if not all members of this genus are mildly poisonous. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Climber
GrowthFast

Clematis connata is native to the temperate zone of the Himalayas, where it can be found at elevations up to 3,400 metres. A moderately cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -20°c[2]. Requires a warm, sheltered sunny position and plenty of water during the growing season[2]. Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade[3, 4]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[3, 4]. Dislikes light sandy soils[3]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[4]. 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[4]. A very vigorous plant, with new shoots extending up to 6 metres in a season. It can be rather invasive in the garden[2]. A twining plant[5]. 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[6]. Plants flower on the current seasons growth. They often require no pruning, especially if left to clamber into large shrubs and trees. Weak or dead stems can be removed in the winter and, where pruning may be required to reduce the size of the plant, shoots can be cut back by up to two thirds in the winter[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[7]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[9, 4]. 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[9]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[9]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[9]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for the 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[4]. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[4]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[4]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Clematis+connata>

Pollinators

Bees, Flies

References

  1. [1]A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. — Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. · Wolfe · 1984 · ISBN 0723408394 ↩︎Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
  2. [2]Clematis - The Genus — Grey-Wilson. C. · B. T. Batsford. London. · 2000 · ISBN 0-7134-7659-1 ↩︎An excellent and well illustrated concise guide to all the known specis of Clematis.
  3. [3]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  4. [4]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  5. [5]Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. — Thomas. G. S. · Murray · 1992 · ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 ↩︎Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
  6. [6]A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers — Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. · The Riverside Press · 1963 · ISBN 63-7093 ↩︎Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.
  7. [7]Perennial Garden Plants — Thomas. G. S. · J. M. Dent & Sons, London. · 1990 · ISBN 0 460 86048 8 ↩︎A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
  8. [8]How to Enjoy your Weeds. — Hatfield. A. W. · Frederick Muller Ltd · 1977 · ISBN 0-584-10141-4 ↩︎Interesting reading.
  9. [9]Growing from Seed. Volume 4. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1990 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
  10. [10]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
  11. [11]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
  12. [12]Plants and People of Nepal — Manandhar. N. P. · Timber Press. Oregon. · 2002 · ISBN 0-88192-527-6 ↩︎Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.