IS CLEMATIS ARMANDII SELF CLINGING? |The Garden of Eaden

Is Clematis armandii self clinging?

Named after Father Armand David (1826-1900), a Jesuit missionary and plant collector of note in China, Clematis armandii is a gorgeous, choice specimen climber from China and Northern Burma. With its exotic, evergreen foliage, it is a fantastic choice for northern European gardens, able to withstand freezing conditions and happy to be sited in full sun or partial shade. So if you have purchased one then well done, it is one of my favourite climbers, but when it comes to providing support, are Clematis armandii self clinging?

Is Clematis armandii self clinging?

Once you have planted your Clematis armandii, it can take a little while to get going so it's best to try and provide it with its favourable conditions. Unlike the large flowering hybrids which should be planted approximately 30 cm below soil level to help combat clematis wilt infections, Clematis armandii will need to be planted at its same soil level. Do not bury it! Also the soil should be damp yet well drained and protected from cold winds otherwise your specimen can just sit there showing only weak growth.

Regarding whether Clematis armandii is self clinging the answer is no, it is more self twining, producing vigourous, extending tendrils which search for support of any kind to connect to. Unlike ivy or climbing hydrangeas, Clematis armandii does not produce adventitious roots along its stem which can secure itself into brickworks or fissured bark and so a support will need to be provided in the garden situation.

Yes, this Clematis armandii collapsed from its support!

When it come to support, be aware that over times Clematis armandii can grow huge over time, and huge means heavy. Even a well screwed in section of trellis can be pulled from the wall in high winds if the trellis itself is only stapled together! This means reinforcing your trellis prior to your specimen growing over it. You can consider using tension wires but unless the connections are well planted they will be pulled out the wall eventually.

Trying to deal with an enormous fallen specimen Clematis armandii is no joke. So my advice is this. When dealing with established plants 'cull' large sections of it every other year, taking the old growth back by as much as a half each time. I am aware that this sounds dramatic but it is better than dealing with a fallen specimen.

If you do experience having a specimen Clematis armandii falling from its support you may need to cut it back to its main trunk, but don't worry. Once the plant gets over its initial shock it will produce new rigorous, extending stems from dormant buds. It will establish itself over its framework within a year and within two years you would never know anything had happened.

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IS CLEMATIS ARMANDII SELF CLINGING?

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