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Clematis ligusticifolia (Western White Clematis)

Western White Clematis, Virgin's Bower, Pepper Vine, Hierba De Chivo

Clematis ligusticifolia, Western White Clematis, Virgin's Bower, Pepper Vine, Hierba De Chivo, White clematis, disease resistant clematis
Clematis ligusticifolia, Western White Clematis, Virgin's Bower, Pepper Vine, Hierba De Chivo, White clematis, disease resistant clematis
Clematis ligusticifolia, Western White Clematis, Virgin's Bower, Pepper Vine, Hierba De Chivo, White clematis, disease resistant clematis

Clematis ligusticifolia (Western White Clematis) is a robust, woody or semi-woody, deciduous climber with showy clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), from mid-spring to late summer (depending on geographic location). The blossoms are so profuse that they almost cover the foliage of pinnately compound leaves adorned with 5-7 leaflets. Even after flowering is over, this vine remains attractive, thanks to the plume-like seedheads left by the passing female flowers, therefore providing winter interest. Widely adaptable, tough, drought tolerant, and disease-resistant, Western White Clematis can be trained on a trellis or allowed to climb a tree. It also provides excellent stabilization of streambanks and is useful for erosion control and hillside plantings. Western White Clematis attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Small birds and rodents use the canopy for cover. The flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects. Native Americans used the root as a horse stimulant. They also chewed the plant to remedy colds and sore throats.

  • Grows up to 3-30 ft. long (1-9 m). Western clematis is long-lived and spreads primarily via seed in the wild, but also via vegetative means (layering).
  • Thrives in deep, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun or part shade. Ideally, Clematis prefer having their ‘heads in the sun and their feet in the shade’. In very dry, hot areas, provide afternoon shade and mulch to keep the roots cool. Drought tolerant once established.
  • This Clematis belongs to the third group of Clematis – a group including Clematis which flower in late summer on growth made in that season. They should be pruned in late winter or early spring and require ‘hard pruning’: simply cut back the stems to a pair of strong buds about 1ft. (30 cm) above ground level before growth begins in early spring. Cut back immediately after bloom where self-sown seedlings are a problem. 
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Browsed by deer.
  • Propagation by seed, softwood, or hardwood cuttings.
  • Native to North America, it is widespread across the western United States.
  • All parts of this plant are poisonous. Severe pain in the mouth if eaten, skin irritation if touched or inhaled.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

As climbers, Clematis are unsurpassed in their long flowering presence, their rich diversity of flower shapes, their wide array of colors, and their tolerances in terms of exposure and climate. It is no wonder they are so popular! From tree huggers to container varieties, there is a Clematis for every garden and flowers for almost every month of the year! Members of the Ranunculaceae family, they include more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids. They create year after year a ravishing colorful show in the garden whether solely trained on walls, arbors, or trellises, or grown in association with other climbers. They are divided into 3 groups which determine how they should be pruned. Regular pruning of Clematis is important as it promotes strong growth and flowering as well as a harmonious plant. If left unpruned, Clematis can turn into a mass of tangled stems with a bare base and flowers well above eye level.

Clematis: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for clematis like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Climbers
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Clematis
Common names Clematis
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 30'
(90cm - 9.1m)
Spread 2' - 6'
(60cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Pennsylvania, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, California, Midwest, South Dakota, Kansas, North Dakota, Nebraska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Walls And Fences
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Clematis ‘Betty Corning’ (Viticella Group)
Clematis armandii (Evergreen Group)
Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens ‘Freckles’ (Evergreen Group)
Clematis ‘Pixie’ (Evergreen Group)
Clematis x cartmanii ‘Avalanche’ (Evergreen Group)
Clematis montana var. wilsonii (Montana Group)

Recommended Companion Plants

Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush)
Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine)
Rosa woodsii (Western Wild Rose)
Crataegus douglasii (Black Hawthorn)
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry)
Festuca idahoensis (Idaho Fescue)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Clematis
Clematis Types – Which one is yours?
Clematis – Early Large-Flowered Group
Clematis – Viticella Group
Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 1)
Clematis – Late Large-Flowered Group
Clematis – Orientalis Group
Clematis – Herbaceous Group
Clematis – Evergreen Group
Clematis – Montana Group
Clematis – Atragene Group
Great Clematis for the Lower South Region
Great Clematis for the Coastal South Region
Combining Roses and Clematis
Great Clematis for the Middle South Region
Great Clematis for the Upper South Region
Combine Late-Flowering Clematis with your Climbing Roses
Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 3)
Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 2)
Clematis Blooming Seasons
Combine Early-Flowering Clematis with your Climbing Roses
Great Clematis for New England
Great Clematis for the Pacific Northwest
Great Clematis for the Midwest
Pretty Clematis for Small Gardens
Pretty Clematis for your Containers
Native Plant Alternatives to Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autumn Clematis)
Clematis: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Climbers
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Clematis
Common names Clematis
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 30'
(90cm - 9.1m)
Spread 2' - 6'
(60cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Pennsylvania, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, California, Midwest, South Dakota, Kansas, North Dakota, Nebraska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Walls And Fences
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Clematis
Guides with
Clematis
Not sure which Clematis to pick?
Compare Now

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