Botanical name:

Clematis foetida

Common name(s):

Clematis

About:

Despite its oddly named classification, C. foetida produces flowers with a delightful honey-like fragrance. This species can be found across New Zealand in the edges of lowland forests, featuring trifoliate leaves with wavy edges and delicate yellowish-green flowers that cover the plant during the springtime. It is well-suited for cultivation among low shrubs and small trees.

Natural habitat:

Lowland forests and especially forest margins.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North and South Island. All except Taranaki in north, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and eastern Otago in south.

Height: 6m

Flowering:

September - November with a greenish yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November - January

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed. Can be grown by cuttings but these can be fickle and slow to strike.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though