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Clematis terniflora
Also called Sweet Autumn Clematis, Japanese Clematis, Japanese Virgin's Bower, Yam Leaf Clematis, Autumn Clematis, Leather Leaved Clematis, Sweet Autumn Virgin's Bower
A fast-growing, woody climbing vine native to East Asia, grown for its fragrant white autumn flowers and fluffy seed heads. It is aggressive and self-seeding in many eastern US states, so plant it with care.
Clematis terniflora (sweet autumn clematis, sweet autumn virginsbower) is a plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is native to northeastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Siberia and Taiwan). It was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, and has naturalized in many of the eastern states. It is considered a Category II invasive plant in north and central Florida and some other eastern states, meaning it is invading native plant communities but is not yet seen as displacing native species.
Prefers full sun, but will flower in partial shade. These woody-stemmed plants can be pruned in fall or early spring to within a couple of feet of the ground, and will vine up fence, trellis, arbors (or other plants) to heights of 10 to 30 feet. Clematis ternifolia can also be allowed to sprawl along the ground as a dense ground cover. Blooms on new growth. No serious insect or disease problems. Does not require fertilizer or frequent watering, although will benefit from a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 in spring. Considered deer resistant.
Clematis terniflora is native to northeastern Asia (Amur, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Manchuria, Nansei-Shoto, Ogasawara-Shoto, Primorye, Taiwan). It was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant and has naturalized in many of the eastern and Midwestern states. It thrives in the US growing zones 4-9. It is normally found along the edges of forests and places with lots of sun exposure.
The leaf of the Clematis terniflora is being studied for its anti-inflammatory effects. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a cure for tonsillitis, cholelithiasis, and conjunctivitis. Researchers are examining the anti-inflammatory effect of an ethanol extract of leaves of C. terniflora using activated macrophages that play central roles in inflammatory response. This research is an effort to find an effective pharmacotherapy treatment for ALI (Acute Lung Injury). The plant is used as a decorative garden plant in the USA. With a variety of growing habits, from ground cover to climbing fences and trellises, it provides a dense blanket like landscaping effect. Clematis terniflora can also be aggressively pruned into a shrub like bush, however it requires heavy pruning and care. It is also used by pollinators the late summer and early autumn months.
Rush Stem Clematis · Clematis akebioides · Alpine clematis · Goat's Beard · Evergreen Clematis · Clematis aromatica · Pine hyacinth · Bigelow's leather flower · Traveler's-joy · Satincurls · Gold Wool Clematis · Early Virgin's Bower
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Clematis terniflora by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.
