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Photo of Clematis terniflora flower, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials View Original Photo

Photo of Clematis terniflora by Karl Gercens III

Photo of Clematis terniflora flower, form by Karl Gercens III

Clematis terniflora

Also Known As

Clematis paniculata
Sweet Autumn Clematis

Plant type

perennial, vine

size

H: 15'-20'
W: 5'-16'

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Clematis terniflora plant details

Clematis terniflora is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial or vine with green foliage. In fall and summer white flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, lean and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Clematis terniflora

Plant type: perennial or vine
Plant family: ranunculaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 5 FT - 16 FT - wide, 15 FT - 20 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: floriferous, fragrant, trellis, winter interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Clematis terniflora

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: average, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Though unfairly saddled with name changes (most unpronouncable!), this large vine can be appreciated in fall with no name at all! for its masses of small white, daphne-scented flowers which are followed by silvery seedheads. S/M

By: Forestfarm

Another gem from New Zealand, this low clambering or scandent vine, to 15 ft or so, has leaves to 2?? dappled or entirely the color of... uncooked liver...Wow! Actually quite lovely in the landscape. Frequently encountered in Hobbit movies; otherwise rare in cultivation in the northern hemisphere. Small, creamy white flowers in abundance in August and September, but, really, the leaves are the true attraction. Moist, rather infertile ground. Full sun for best color though quite happy in shade. Low end of USDA zone 8. Great container plant.

By: Cistus Nursery

Formerly Clematis paniculata. Sweet Autumn Clematis will bloom well in sun or even quite a bit of shade. Its casual exuberant make sit an informal accent for spilling over a stone wall, clambering up an arbor or across a fence. Masses of small fragrant white flowers begin blooming in late summer and continue through September, followed by attractive fluffy seed heads in October. Vigorous vines can be controlled by cutting back to 12" in the spring, although if left unchecked can scramble 25' or more.

By: Avant Gardens

This is such an Autumn gem, lightly fragrant and covered with thousands of small white flowers. Do be sure you have sufficient space or a tall arbor to let it spread out - it is vigorous. Can be pruned to one meter in February, or left to wander. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This spectacular New Zealand native is covered with small white flowers borne on long, arching panicles. The pink anthers, silky seed heads, and dark glossy leaves combine with the Hawthorn-like fragrance of the flowers to create a sensuous, alluring effect. We trained our Sweet Autumn Clematis to grow horizontally against a wall, so that the evergreen foliage contrasts with the hanging flower panicles.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

Sweet Autumn Clematis is a NZ native species which covers itself in small, star-shaped white to off-white flwers beginning in late summer or early fall. The four petal clematis flowers are sweetly fragrant. It can climb to 30' and quickly cover a chain link fence.The leaves of this 30 foot climber are different from those of most clematis varieties.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Probably the toughest Clematis you can grow. Vigorous stems climb to 8m with the aid of paired, semi-evergreen, trifoliate leaves that cling to anything available to pull the stem higher. In early Summer, billowing. foamy masses of small, white, sweetly scented, four petalled flowers are followed by silky seed heads that last well into Autumn. Excellent for covering, fences, sheds, roofs or old car bodies, all that's needed is reasonably good drainage. May even self seed, which is handy, as all your friends will want one.

By: Zephs

We grow this fragrant vine on our gazebo, and by fall the gazebo disappears in a froth of fragrant white blossoms. Fluffy silvery seed heads follow the bloom. The leaves are a leathery dark green. Wonderful! Prune to 1-2' tall in early spring as leaf buds begin to show, removing all dead stems above the buds.

By: Select Seeds

A strong vigorous grower that is just spectacular. My mother had one growing along the rail to her deck and you could see cars slow down to take a look-see whenever it was blooming! Not a wimpy clematis, it's in fact, a great, robust grower. From Australia and New Zealand. Smothered with FRAGRANT blooms from August 'til Frost then showy, silvery, filigreed seed heads thru winter. Prune this vine down to one to two buds in early spring before new growth starts.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

This vigorous deciduous vine will cover a fence, arbor or ugly building in no time! Profuse bloom of pure white, fragrant flowers August to October transform to silvery masses of translucent fluffy seed heads. Blooms on new growth and can be cut to a mere 12” in spring to keep growth in check. Easy to grow in sun to part sun in average garden conditions, most soils, summer water.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Need a fast growing vine? Like “Jack in the Beanstalk,” this extraordinarily vigorous, fast growing vine will top 20’ in one season. It is unusually late blooming for a Clematis, bearing clouds of fragrant, 1”, star-shaped, white flowers Summer thru Fall. The sweet vanilla fragrance is wonderful & not overpowering, bringing back the sweet scents of Spring. After the flowers fade, silvery, plume-like seed heads decorate the vine. “Sweet Autumn Clematis” blooms on current season’s wood. It’s easily & best pruned in late Spring by cutting last year’s stems 6-12” above the ground. Don’t be alarmed by this drastic pruning - it’s so vigorous that by midseason it will be covering the fence or trellis again. Plant in a sunny, well drained location where its roots can be shaded & cool (a thick layer of mulch works fine). Deciduous to semi-deciduous.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials