Petrie’s Clematis

Botanical name: Clematis petriei
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Petrie’s Clematis

About:
A delicate yet resilient evergreen climber endemic to the eastern South Island of New Zealand. Clematis petriei is a small-flowered, yellow-green clematis that twines through grey scrub and small trees in dry inland environments. It is valued for its attractive foliage, lightly scented flowers and graceful habit. Once considered part of Clematis forsteri, it is now recognised as a distinct species with several unique characteristics.

Natural habitat:
Dry lowland to montane grey scrub, open shrublands, sparse woodlands, river terraces, colluvial slopes and semi-stable scree or talus slopes.

Growing environment:
Prefers fertile, free-draining soils in full sun to partial shade. Best with cool roots and plenty of light. Does not tolerate waterlogged soils or humid conditions.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found naturally in the eastern South Island from the Awatere River in Marlborough south to Central Canterbury, including the Waimakariri and upper Rakaia catchments.

Height:
Up to 2 m

Width:
1–3 m

Flowering:
October–January

Fruiting:
December–March

Uses:
• Native climber for dry gardens
• Grey scrub and dryland restoration
• Cover for fences and trellises
• Wildlife habitat
• Feature plant for rock gardens and dry slopes

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A slender evergreen woody climber or scrambler that twines through shrubs and small trees or sprawls over rocks. Stems are ribbed and sparsely hairy when young, becoming smooth with age.

Leaves:
Leaves are arranged oppositely and divided into three leaflets. Leaflets are small, leathery and variable in shape, ranging from broadly ovate to deeply lobed or pinnatifid. Margins may be entire, toothed or deeply divided, and the tips end in a small point.

Flowers:
Produces yellow-green flowers either singly or in clusters. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Flowers are lightly fruity scented and have 6–8 narrow sepals that are hairy underneath but smooth above. The floral bracts are distinctive, being broad and spoon-shaped with rounded tips.

Fruit:
Develops smooth chestnut-brown achenes topped with silky white plumes that aid wind dispersal. The seed heads remain attractive after flowering.

Ecology:
Seeds are dispersed by wind using their feathery plumes. Plants provide shelter and nectar resources for insects within dryland ecosystems. Although usually sparsely distributed, the species can be locally abundant in suitable habitats.

Associated habitats:
Grey scrub, dry shrublands, inland river terraces, alluvial fans, rocky slopes, talus fields and open montane woodlands.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or light shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep the root zone cool with mulch or surrounding plants while allowing stems to climb into sunlight. Avoid poorly drained or humid sites.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed or semi-hardwood cuttings. Seed germinates readily under cool conditions. Cuttings root best in free-draining media with bottom heat.

Cultural use:
An important component of eastern South Island dryland ecosystems and grey scrub communities, contributing to the diversity and structure of these increasingly rare habitats.

Garden value:
A beautiful and unusual native clematis prized for its small yellow-green flowers, attractive foliage and suitability for dry gardens. An excellent choice for naturalistic plantings, rock gardens and restoration projects in drier regions.