Throughout the eastern United States from late August to September two species clematis, Clematis terniflora, sweet autumn clematis, and Clematis virginiana, Virgin’s Bower, produce prodigious displays of white blossoms across wild and cultivated landscapes.
The woody vines sprint over fences, hedges, arbors, trellises, garden walls, sheds, telephone poles, yard art and race to the top of trees as if coached by kudzu or wisteria. Sweet autumn clematis stretches as far as 30 feet whereas Virgin’s Bower extents 15-20 feet.
Clematis Cousins
At first glance the two look like identical twins with regard to flower size, color, and form and showy seedpod. Individual star-like flowers are small, about one inch in diameter, and are borne in large clusters on current season’s wood. The fetching flowers are not comprised of petals but rather of white sepals.
Native Habitats
The two clematis are not twins however and hail from vastly different parts of the globe, despite being Ranunculaceae family members. Deciduous to semi-evergreen sweet autumn clematis aka yam-leaved or leatherleaved clematis and Japanese Virgin’s Bower is native to Japan, China and Korea. The habitat is open woodland, woodland margins, roadsides, hedgerows, and shrubberies. Swedish botanist, Carl Thunberg, introduced the plant to Europe in 1796 following plant-hunting trips to Japan.
Deciduous Virgin’s Bower aka devil’s darning needle, Virginia clematis, and American Virgin’s Bower is native to eastern North America from Quebec to Florida and west to Texas. It was first documented in the 1750s. The plant is found in open woodlands, moist thickets, stream banks, floodplains, drainage ditches, shrubby areas, and fencerows.
Contrasting Cousins
Sweet autumn clematis flowers are fragrant while Virgin’s Bower flowers are not. However, both attract bees, flies, butterflies and hummingbirds.
The most obvious difference in the two vines is the leaves. Sweet autumn clematis has pinnately compound heart shaped leaves with smooth margins in sets of five to seven leaflets. Virgin’s Bower has pinnately compound toothed and lobed leaves arranged in sets of three leaflets.
A botanist looking closely at flower parts will distinguish the two plants by reproductive structure. Sweet autumn clematis has male stamens and female pistils within each flower. Virgin’s Bower has male and female flowers on separate plants. Anthers on sweet autumn clematis are longer than those of Virgin’s Bower.
Propagation of Clematis Cousins
Sweet autumn clematis and Virgin’s Bower reseed freely. Vines may also be propagated via stem cuttings and layering.
The gardener’s solution for the invasive instincts of both species is pruning, weeding, and support. Gardeners cut back stems to a foot off the ground in early spring. Removing seedlings as they sprout and mulching around plants discourages overpopulation.
Both vines benefit from training and a strong support like an arbor, pergola, trellis, fence or tree.
Cultivating Clematis Cousins
In mild climates autumn is a good time to plant clematis vines. Vines will need a sunny spot for foliage and shade for the roots. Clematis needs plenty of water until established.
Mulch clematis with composted manure or leaf mold to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.
Perhaps you would like to trial the wandering ways of two challenging clematis cousins in your yard.
Sources
- Badcock, Marigold. Success With Clematis. London: Guild of Master Craftsmen Publications Ltd., 2005.
- Cheshire, Charles. Clematis. DK Publishing, Inc., 1999.
- Grey-Wilson, Christopher. Clematis the Genus. Portland: Timber Press, 2000.
- Sarver, Mathew. et.al. “Mistaken Identity? Invasive Plants and Their Native Look-Alikes.” Dover: Delaware Department of Agriculture. November 2008. online at New York Botanical Garden website.
Arlene Marturano - Arlene Marturano, an educator, consultant, master gardener, and writer advocates gardens as a context and gardening as a tool for ...
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