Clematis cunninghamii

Botanical name: Clematis cunninghamii
Synonyms: Clematis parviflora, Clematis hillii
Common name(s): Akangākaukiore, Cunningham’s Clematis

About:
An elegant evergreen native climber endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Clematis cunninghamii is a slender scrambling liane with attractive pale green to creamy white flowers and soft, brownish hairy young leaves. Flowering in spring, it produces masses of slightly fragrant blooms followed by silky, plume-like seed heads that persist well into summer.

Natural habitat:
Lowland forests, forest margins and scrub edges, where it climbs through shrubs and small trees.

Growing environment:
Prefers partial shade to full sun in moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Tolerates light frost once established and benefits from having other plants or structures to scramble over.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Naturally found throughout much of the North Island, extending south to Hawke’s Bay in the east.

Height:
Up to 3 m or more

Width:
2–4 m

Flowering:
September–November

Fruiting:
November–January

Uses:
• Native climber for trellises and fences
• Forest and woodland gardens
• Ecological restoration
• Wildlife gardens
• Screening and naturalistic planting
• Nectar source for insects

Appearance:

Growth habit:
An evergreen woody climber with slender, twining stems and finely grooved branchlets. Plants scramble through surrounding vegetation using their leaf stalks for support.

Leaves:
Leaves are arranged oppositely and divided into three leaflets. Leaflets are ovate and dark green to yellowish-green, often with a heart-shaped base and smooth, toothed or shallowly lobed margins. Young leaves are larger, softer and covered beneath with distinctive brownish hairs.

Flowers:
Flowers are pale green, yellowish-white or creamy white and slightly fragrant. Male flowers are larger and more conspicuous, with 5–8 narrow sepals that are smooth above and softly hairy beneath.

Fruit:
Produces small hairy achenes topped with long white feathery styles that aid wind dispersal and create attractive silky seed heads.

Ecology:
Seeds are dispersed by wind. The flowers attract native insects and the dense scrambling growth provides shelter for small animals. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Associated habitats:
Lowland forests, forest margins, secondary scrub, shrublands and regenerating native bush.

How to grow:
Plant in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Provide a shrub, trellis or fence for support. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots from drying out. Prune lightly after flowering if required.

Propagation:
Usually grown from fresh seed, which germinates readily after natural stratification. Can also be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings, although seed-grown plants provide a mix of male and female plants.

Cultural use:
Known by the Māori name Akangākaukiore, this species is one of New Zealand’s native clematis and is an important component of northern forest ecosystems.

Garden value:
A beautiful native climber valued for its delicate foliage, spring display of pale flowers and ornamental feathery seed heads. Ideal for woodland gardens and naturalistic plantings where it can scramble freely through shrubs and small trees.