Clematis

Botanical name: Clematis foetida
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Clematis

About:
A vigorous evergreen climber endemic to New Zealand, valued for its masses of strongly sweet-scented greenish-yellow flowers in spring and attractive silky seed heads in summer. Despite its species name foetida, meaning “foul-smelling”, the flowers are pleasantly fragrant. The plant climbs through surrounding vegetation using its twining leaf stalks and can form dense, leafy curtains along forest margins.

Natural habitat:
Lowland forests and especially forest margins, occasionally extending into open scrub and woodland up to around 700 m elevation.

Growing environment:
Prefers moist, free-draining soils in full sun to partial shade. Best grown where roots are cool and shaded but stems can climb into the light. Appreciates good airflow and moderate rainfall.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout much of the North and South Islands, though uncommon in Taranaki and absent from parts of Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and eastern Otago.

Height:
Up to 6 m or more

Width:
3–5 m

Flowering:
September–November

Fruiting:
November–January

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

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A robust evergreen woody climber with stems reaching over 6 m long and trunks up to 6 cm thick. Young stems are densely covered in yellow-brown hairs and climb by twining leaf stalks.

Leaves:
Leaves are opposite and divided into three leaflets on mature plants, while juvenile plants bear leaves divided into nine leaflets. Leaflets are dark green, ovate and leathery with smooth to slightly wavy margins. The undersides are paler and clothed in distinctive orange-yellow to brown hairs when young.

Flowers:
Flowers are greenish-yellow to yellow and strongly sweet-scented. They occur in clusters and are 2–3 cm across. Male flowers are larger and more conspicuous, with 5–8 sepals that are smooth above and softly hairy beneath.

Fruit:
Female plants produce masses of silky white seed heads composed of numerous hairy achenes with long feathery styles. These remain ornamental for many weeks after flowering.

Ecology:
Seeds are dispersed by wind. The flowers attract a wide range of insects, while the dense growth provides shelter for birds and invertebrates. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, so both sexes are required for seed production.

Associated habitats:
Lowland forests, forest margins, regenerating bush, scrublands and open woodland.

How to grow:
Plant in moist, fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. Provide a support such as a trellis, fence or shrub to climb through. Keep roots cool with mulch or companion planting and water during extended dry periods.

Propagation:
Usually propagated from fresh seed, which germinates readily after a period of cool conditions. Semi-hardwood cuttings can also be taken, although seed-grown plants provide a mix of male and female plants.

Cultural use:
An important native forest climber and one of New Zealand’s characteristic clematis species. Its fragrant flowers and silky seed heads contribute to the seasonal character of native forest margins.

Garden value:
A beautiful and vigorous climber prized for its sweet perfume, masses of pale flowers and fluffy seed heads. An excellent choice for naturalistic gardens, native plantings and woodland settings where it can scramble freely through trees and shrubs.