Plant Data Sheet

Species (common name, Latin name)

Western White Clematis, Clematis ligusticifolia

Range

British Columbia to northwest Mexico, east to South Dakota, New Mexico

Climate, elevation

Streamsides and moist places below 7000’.

Local occurrence (where, how common)

All over Washington below 7000’.

Habitat preferences

Along streams and wet places in sagebrush desert to Ponderosa Pine forest

Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)

Vine , Subshrub, Competitor

Associated species

Clematis ligusticifolia is closely related to Clematis drummondii, with which it is thought to hybridize with when they are in areas of contact.

May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)

Seed, Internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, late spring in sandy soil in a frame. hardwood cuttings and layered.

Collection restrictions or guidelines

Leave seedheads to dry on plants then remove and collect seeds.

Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter.

Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible.

Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf-life)

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame.

Recommended seed storage conditions

Seeds are kept dry and stored in a refrigerator.

Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as soon as it is obtained in a cold frame. Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible. A period of cold stratification is beneficial. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)

Best to plant container grown and in order to avoid the disease 'clematis wilt', it is best to plant the rootball about 8cm deeper in the soil.

Recommended planting density

Unkown but far away from anything you don’t want it to grow all over.

Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)

Moist soil, some shade and moderate watering through the summer.

Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan

Varies. Will last anywhere from 3-10 years and can grow up to 20’ high.

Sources cited

http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/211.htm

http://www.cwnp.org/photopgs/cdoc/clligusticifolia.html

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Clematis+ligusticifolia

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56865/

http://permaculture.info/cgi-bin/eden?plant=1788

Data compiled by Steven Campbell 5-11-06