Clematis terniflora

Clematis terniflora is a robust species, with exuberant vegetation and airy flowers It displays countless small star-shaped, pure white flowers, often with purple edges. The highly fragrant flowering occurs from late summer until autumn, even until the frosts. Its semi-evergreen, shiny green foliage is sometimes silver-striped and disappears under a fragrant and buzzing cloud of bees. After the flowers, it has feathery and silver seed heads which persist through winter. Very hardy and vigorous, it is best suited for large spaces and perfect for covering unsightly structures. This species is particularly drought-resistant once well-established.

The Clematis genus belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The botanical species terniflora is native to Southeast Asia, including Korea and Japan. It is a climbing plant with twining stems, particularly vigorous and floriferous. It belongs to the group of clematis that flower until autumn on the current year's shoots. It forms a dense bush that can reach 7 metres (23 feet) in all directions, with rapid growth. The main stem can measure up to 8 cm (3in) wide on a mature plant. It starts flowering in late summer and continues until October-November, often stopped only by frost. The inflorescences are panicles of white flowers with 4 petals and prominent stamens, measuring 3 cm (1in) in diameter, highly fragrant and nectar-rich. The flowers are followed by very decorative, feathery, silver, and silky seed heads. The semi-evergreen foliage is composed of tough, dark green, glossy leaves, sometimes striped with silver.

Clematis terniflora is so vigorous that it competes with climbing vines to cover unsightly buildings, dead trees, or unattractive fences. Plant your clematis on both sides of the support to be covered. Its late flowering will blend well with the purplish foliage of dyer's grape and will take over from the fragrant clusters of climbing roses. This clematis will bloom in semi-shade and smother weeds on the edge of undergrowth or near abandoned walls. It requires space but very little maintenance and is easy to grow in the sun, in fertile and well-drained soil.