Updated 05-May-2020.
Mondo shtuff from around the internet, all about CLEMATIS!
My botty best at summarizing from Wikipedia: clematis is a genus of about 300 species within the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae . their garden hybrids have been popular among gardeners . they are mainly of Chinese and Japanese origin the woody stems are quite fragile until several years old . the cool temperate species are deciduous, but many warmer climate species are evergreen . they grow best in cool, moist, well-drained soil in the genus name long pre-dates Linnaeus . it was used in Classical Greek for various climbing plants . DNA sequence studies have found that these two genera are deeply nested in Clematis Naravelia is a monophyletic group within Clematis antonii . addison’s leather flower Clematis albicoma Wherry . alpine clematis aristata . gold wool clematis Clematis cirrhosa L. includes the ‘Freckles’, ‘Wisley Cream’, and ‘Jingle Bells’ cultivars . cabellos de angel Clematis drummondii Torr. & A.Gray – British Columbia virgin’s bower . – swamp leather flower . jackman’s clematis Clematis koreana Kom. . & paxton Clesmatis lasiantha Nutt. downy clematis Clematis mandshurica . new zealand dwarf clemats . the genus is a new species . small-leaved clematis Clematis montana Buch.-Ham. ex DC. – anemone clemat Clemats morefieldii Kral – Huntsville western blue virginsbower Clematis ochroleuca Ait . curlyheads clematis orientalis L. . & A.Gray – bluebill Clematis pubescens Hügel ex Endl. – common clematis . devil’s darning needles, Virginia bower Clematis viridiflora Bertol. Koidz . Magnus Johnson divided Clematis into 19 sections, several with subsections . Christopher Grey-Wilson divided the genus into 9 subgenera . Several of the subdivisions are fairly consistent between these two systems the RHS published its International Clematis Register and Checklist 2002 . many of the most popular garden forms are cultivars belonging to the Viticella section of the subgenus Flammula as defined by Grey- Japanese garden selections were the first exotic clematises to reach European gardens, in the 18th century . after it arrived in Europe, it acquired several meanings during the Victorian era, famous for its nuanced flower symbol many varieties provide a second period of interest with a flush of flowers, or decorative seed heads. they will grow in any good garden soil. some more delicate cultivars such as ‘Nelly Moser’ do better in light shade . many clematis can be grown successfully in containers . small-flowered Division: Flowers (1.5–)2–12(–18) cm across Armandii Group: Cultivars belonging to, or derived from, species classified in subsection Meyenianae ( the former Alpina Group and Macropetala Group are included here . Historically, the alpina group was used for single-flowered cultivars . Forsteri Group: Cultivars belonging to, or derived from, species classified in section Novae-zeelandiae M. Johnson (native to Australia and New Zealand) includes C. austral Montana Group: Cultivars belonging to, or derived from, species classified in section Montanae (Schneider) Grey-Wilson such as C. chrysocoma, C. mont Cultivars assigned to Texensis Group, and cultivars with C. integrifolia in their parentage, are excluded . Vitalba Group: Culatets with at least one parent large-flowered Division: Flowers (5–)10–22(–29) cm across, usually flat . early Large-flowering Group: Comprises the former Patens Group and Fortunei Group . former Fortunei Hybridization has made it impossible to keep the original Groups separate . there are cultivars that produce both single and double flowers . late Large-flowered group: Comprises the former Lanuginosa Group and in the american old west, the western white clematis, Clematis ligusticifolia, was called pepper vine . the entire genus contains essential oils and compounds which are irritating to the skin clematis is also a constituent of Bach’s Rescue Remedy . it is an effective treatment for migraine headaches and nervous disorders . when pruning, it is a good idea to wear gloves . Phytochemical screening of extracts from both species shows antibacterial and antifungal activity . clematis is listed as one of the 38 plants used to prepare Bach flower remedies . there is no scientific evidence to prove flower remedies can control, cure or prevent cancer . Clematis wilt, a stem rot caused by the fungus Phoma clematidina, causes dramatic Ruth Gooch Clematis: The Complete Guide. timber press, 1989. Ruth & Jon Gooch Clematis An Essential Guide Crowood Press 2001. The American Cyclopdia. 1879.