Maintenance Landscaping Design

Bush clematis is a flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family. It is native to central and eastern Asia, from the Himalayas east to Japan. The bush clematis is a deciduous vine that grows to 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall, with opposite, simple leaves 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) long and 2–5 cm (0.79–2.0 in) broad. The flowers are 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in) diameter, with four white petals and four yellow stamens. The fruit is an oval, fleshy black berry 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) diameter.

Also called

• Devil's Darning Needles
  
• Old Man's Beard
  
• Love in a Twist
  
• Yellow Clematis
  
• Virgin's Bower

Things to Know

• Bush clematis is a climbing plant that can reach up to 10 feet in height.
  
• It has opposite, toothed leaves that are up to 4 inches long.
  
• The flowers are white, and they have 6 petals arranged in a star shape.
  
• The plant blooms from late spring to early summer.
  
• Bush clematis is native to Europe and Asia.
  
• It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
  
• The plant is considered invasive in some parts of the United States.
  
• Bush clematis can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings.
  
• It is important to choose a planting site carefully, as the plant can become invasive.
  
• Bush clematis can be susceptible to several diseases, including powdery mildew and root rot.

Related plant:
Ornamental Bush With Yellow Flowers

Planting Process

1. For bush clematis, first step is to find a sunny location. The plant does best in full sun to partial shade, but can tolerate some shade.
   
2. Prepare the planting area by removing all weeds and loosening the soil.
   
3. dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plant's root ball.
   
4. Set the plant in the hole and fill in with soil, tamping down lightly as you go.
   
5. Water the plant well, until the soil is moistened.
   
6. Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant, keeping it away from the stem.
   
7. Bush clematis typically doesn't need pruning, but you can cut it back in the late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
   
8. Fertilize the plant in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
   
9. The bush clematis will bloom in the summer, and the flowers will last for several weeks.
   
10. After the blooms fade, cut back the spent stems to encourage new growth.

Related plant:
Sugar Shack Buttonbush

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, bush clematis like well-drained soil, and they also enjoy a little bit of organic matter. They also like to be in a location where they will get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. They are not very fond of wet soil, so it is important to make sure that the location you choose for them is not prone to flooding.

Light condition

Similar to other clematis, the bush clematis requires full sun to partial shade in order to thrive. If the plant does not receive enough sun, it will produce fewer flowers. When choosing a spot to plant your bush clematis, make sure it will have access to plenty of sunlight.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for the bush clematis is cool to cold weather. This means that the plant will do best if it is kept in a cool or cold environment. However, it can also tolerate warm weather if it is not too hot. The plant should not be kept in a hot environment though as this can cause the plant to wilt and die.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or above. If the humidity level drops below 50%, the leaves will start to brown and the plant will become less vigorous. If the humidity level gets too low, the plant may die.

Fertilizing

For the fertilizer, this kind of plant prefers organic options like manure or compost. You can also use a low-nitrogen option like bone meal. It's best to wait until the plant is actively growing to fertilize. As for the roots, they need to be kept moist but not soggy. If they're too dry, the plant will start to wilt.

Plant Pruning

Pruning a bush clematis (Clematis vitalba) is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Bush clematis can be pruned quite hard if necessary, as it will quickly regrow. Simply cut back the stems to the desired height, making sure to leave some healthy leaves on the plant.

The Propagation

Propagation for bush clematis is typically done through softwood cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 4-6 inches long and should have several leaves. Cut just below a leaf node and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Cover the pot with plastic to create a mini greenhouse effect and place in a bright, indirect light spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and in 6-8 weeks, you should see new growth. At that point, you can transplant the new clematis plants to their permanent home in the garden.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is between 6 inches to 1 foot per year. Some varieties can grow 2 to 3 feet per year. The growth rate also depends on the variety, how well it is maintained, where it is planted, and the climate.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are Aphids, Bronze foliage, Clematis wilt, caterpillars and earwigs. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that pierce plant tissues and suck out the sap. This feeding can distort new growth and weaken the plant. Bronze foliage is a fungal disease that appears as unsightly brown patches on the leaves. It is most often seen in late summer. Clematis wilt is a disease that can kill the plant. It is caused by a fungus that attacks the stem. The stem turns brown and wilt. Caterpillars are the larvae of moths and butterflies. They feed on the leaves and can cause severe damage. Earwigs are insects that feed on the leaves and flowers. They can cause damage to the plant but are not usually a serious problem.

List to Know

• If you want to grow bush clematis, make sure to start with a young plant.
  
• Clematis are heavy feeders, so fertilize them regularly.
  
• Bush clematis need full sun to partial shade in order to thrive.
  
• These plants are also quite drought tolerant, so don’t worry about watering them too often.
  
• Once your bush clematis is established, prune it back hard in late winter to encourage new growth.
  
• When it comes to pests and diseases, clematis are relatively problem-free.
  
• However, aphids can sometimes be a problem. If you see them on your plant, spray them off with a strong stream of water.
  
• Slugs and snails can also damage bush clematis, so be on the lookout for these pests.
  
• Deer tend to leave clematis alone, but rabbits can

Substitution

• Bush's clematis (Clematis potaninii)
  
• Chinese Bush Clematis (Clematis chinensis)
  
• Texas bush morning-glory (Convolvulus equitans)
  
• Bush violet (Viola bicolor)
  
• Bush vetch (Vicia cracca)
  
• Bush iris (Dietes iridioides)
  
• Bushman's poison (Dichapetalum cymosum)
  
• Bushman's friend (Dichapetalum cymosum)
  
• Bushman's poison bush (Dichapetalum cymosum)
  
• Bush violet (Viola bicolor sspp. bicolor, sylvicola, riviniana)

Source:
Clematis - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment
Bush Type Clematis: A Garden Treasure (0805013) | IANR News
Clematis | Horticulture and Home Pest News