Clematis heracleifolia (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 75cm
Eventual Spread: 1m
Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Ranunculaceae
Clematis heracleifolia is a deciduous herbaceous perennial/ sub shrub, with an erect, spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are deeply lobed, producing three leaflets. Its leaflets are elliptic with serrate margins, up to 16cm long and 14cm broad. Its fragrant blue/ violet flowers are similar to those of Hyacinth, up to 1.5cm across and appear in terminal clusters. Its fruit is an achene and contains long silky hairs.
Clematis heracleifolia Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Clematis heracleifolia, commonly known as Herbaceous Clematis, is native to east China and Korea. In its native habitat it grows at woodland margins.
The etymological root of the binomial name Clematisis derived from the Greek klema meaning ’vine shoot’, alluding to the climbing habit of the majority of this genus. Heracleifolia is derived from the plant Heracleum and the Latin and folius meaning ‘leaf’.
The landscape architect may find Clematis heracleifolia useful as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme.
Ecologically, Clematis heracleifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Clematis heracleifolia Leaf (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Clematis heracleifolia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Clematis heracleifolia requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance its stems may be cut back to the base of the plant in mid spring. Large clumps may be divided in spring.