Clematis apiifolia

At a glance

Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −17.8 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade and its shoots growing up to the light. A twining plant. 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. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. 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. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer.

Edible uses

Young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The dried leaves are a tea substitute.

Medicinal uses

An infusion of the stems is used in the treatment of colic, dysentery, dyspepsia and sweating. The plant is carminative and digestive.

Clematis apiifolia

At a glance

Cultivation

Propagation

Edible uses

Medicinal uses

Habitat

Native range

Same genus