Clematis brachiata

Wild Clematis complete care guide South Africa

Indigenous

Deciduous

Climbers & Creepers

Description:

An indigenous Clematis, with sweetly fragrant cream flowers, is an easy-to-grow climber, perfect for gardens.

Other names:

Traveller’s Joy, Wild Clematis, Klimop and Lemoenbloeisels

Other Names

Traveller’s Joy, Wild Clematis, Klimop and Lemoenbloeisels

Plant Summary

Size:

30cm x 20cm

Flowers:

February to May

Growth Rate:

Fast

Origin:

Watering Needs

Light Preference

Maintenance

Frost Sensitivity

Light Preference

Clematis brachiata

care guide

Clematis should be fertilised every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season with a high-phosphorus content fertiliser(5-10-5 or 5-10-10) that will help your clematis bloom. An alternative natural option for fertilisation is bonemeal which is absorbed quick.

Begin feeding your clematis in early spring and continue until the first flowers start to emerge and stop while the plant is in bloom to prolong the duration of the flowers.

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Lightly prune your clematis brachiata in late winter to promote fresh growth and maintain a compact form if grown in a container.

The Clematis is hardy and adaptable, and not fussy about soil type or pH, and may be grown in areas with cold winters, although it is not recommended for areas colder than -7C/30F minimum.

Water newly-planted clematis regularly during periods of dry weather in the first few seasons after planting. Take care not to over water the clematis, one of the benefits of this creeper is its low watering needs and should only be watered more frequently if grown in very free draining soil, or during prolonged dry, hot spells.

Flowing Period

February to May

How to encourage your clematis brachiata to flower

Prune a third of the old growth in late winter to promote fresh growth which will also encourage flowering.

Clematis brachiata

propagation

You can propagate the Clematis Brachiate from seed sown in spring or from cuttings of semi hardwood taken throughout summer.

Propagating by cuttings

The best time to take a cutting is in spring when growth hormones are active.

Snip a 7.5- 15 cm semi hardwood cutting from an established plant.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the tip in a rooting hormone (Dynaroot #2 is my go-to choice for most plants).
Place the dipped end into a container of dampened sterile seed starting mix that drains well.
Place the container in a warm spot with indirect sunlight and mist the cutting daily to ensure that the soil does not dry out.
The cuttings should take root in about 4 to 6 weeks. Test for root growth by (very) gently tugging on the cuttings to feel if there is some resistance.
Transplant the cuttings into individual 10-cm pots that contain professional potting mixture.
Pinch off the very top of the cutting to encourage branching or leave the stem intact to allow the newly rooted plant to increase in height.

Propagating by seed

Plant the seeds in a flat or shallow container filled with a seed starting mix or mixture of equal parts damp peat and perlite.

Keep the soil moist and move the flat to a sunny location as soon as the seedlings appear. Be patient, it can take up to several months for seeds to sprout.