Clematis vitalba
| Clematis vitalba | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Clematis vitalba (common name: traveller's joy)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1][2]. Sow stored seed as soon as it is obtained in a cold frame. Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible[1]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[1]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken between nodes, July/August in a frame[3].
Internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, late spring in sandy soil in a frame.
Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[2].
Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[2].
Cultivation: Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade[4][2]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[4][2]. Dislikes light sandy soils[4]. Does well on chalk[3]. Dislikes acid soils below a pH of 6.0[5]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[2].
Plants are hardy to about -18°c[6].
A twining plant[7]. The leafstalks wrap themselves around twigs and branches for support. When a side of the stalk touches an object, the growth on that side slows down whilst the other side grows at its normal rate - this causes the leaf stalk to entwine the object it is touching[5][8]. It is capable of growing 2 metres in a year and can easily smother small trees and shrubs[5]. Another report says that it can grow 5 metres in a year[6].
When planting out, in order to avoid the disease 'clematis wilt', it is best to plant the rootball about 8cm deeper in the soil. This will also serve to build up a good root crown of growth buds[2].
The flowers are almond-scented[6]. They are produced on the current season's growth[9]. The plant is very amenable to pruning and can be cut back severely if required. This is best done in early spring[6].
A greedy plant, inhibiting growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[10].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[11].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[12][2].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from the Netherlands south and east to N. Africa and the Caucasus.
Habitat: Hedgerows and wood margins, usually on calcareous soils[13][14].
Edibility: Young shoots - cooked and used like hop shoots (Humulus lupulus)[13][15][16]. Caution is advised due to reports of toxicity[13].
Medicinal: The leaves are analgesic, diuretic and rubefacient[13][16]. The boiled roots and stems are used as a cure for the itch[17]. When applied in the nostrils, the plant juice has been used to relieve migraine attacks, but it can also destroy the mucous membranes[13]. The plant should not be taken internally because it is poisonous[13].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions[18].
The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Indifference', 'Dreaminess', 'Inattention' and 'Unconsciousness'[19]. It is also one of the five ingredients in the 'Rescue remedy'[19].
Usage: The stems are used in basketry[20][21].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Mid Winter
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[13], the toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying[22].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Chancellor, Philip. Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. C W Daniel, 1985.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.