Description
A native of central and eastern United States and Canada, woody, perennial vine in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. It is a rapid grower and can reach 15 to 20 feet high, climbing by its clinging leaf stalks, and 3 to 6 feet wide. Its name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems.
It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial to some deep shade. It is one of the few vines that will flower in shade. It can be pruned any time during the growing season to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Pruning can be as low as 8 to 12 inches above ground if a couple of healthy leaf buds are on the remaining stalks. The best time to prune for the next year is late fall to early spring. Propagate by layering, seed, or stem cutting.
Showy, fragrant blooms in the autumn. It attracts a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds. This plant may be less frequently damaged by deer and rabbits. Requiring less maintenance, the male plant is not adorned with seeds (versus the female which does produce seeds) but is showy (in comparison to the female version).
