vine
believe of planting some clematis in your garden , but are n’t sure if it ’s considered a vine or a shrub ? understand the works division that clematis falls into is important when determining where and how to constitute it . In this article , horticulture expert Liessa Bowen examines if flower clematis is consider a vine or a bush .
subject matter
Clematis is the genus of a large radical of flowering works in the buttercup family ( Ranunculaceae ) . There are over 250 metal money of Clematis withmany more kind . They are a well - loved garden flora , known for their prolific displays of beautiful flamboyant flowers . Sometimes you ’ll see them grow as vines , but from time to time you ’ll see them also spring up as shrubs .
Clematis can be grownin both inhuman and warm climates , from zones 3 through 9 . They are also extremely versatile , which is why they can take on unlike outgrowth profile . Most do well in full sun , but also appreciate some afternoon nuance .
Clematis commonly has woody stem , although some are herbaceous . Many are vigorous climbers , yet some stay fair thick without cohere to a support complex body part . They are a familiar sight climbing up trellises or cascading over a wall . Their flowers are evident , and many miscellany willbloom from early spring through tardy fall .
With such a wide variety of form , it can be confusing to attempt to classify this plant into a undivided specific family . So is a Clematisconsidered a vine or a shrub ?
The Short Answer
Clematis are mostly considered woody deciduousperennial vine . A few are herbaceous perennials which die back completely each winter . And there are a few variety that are evergreen perennial . Most varieties have characteristics of being a “ vine ” rather than a “ shrub . ” There are , however , a few varieties of Clematis that can qualify asperennial shrubs . So the unretentive answer is , depending on the specific variety , it can be considered a vine or a bush .
The Long Answer
There is anamazing diversityof Clematis . They range wide in sizing , maturation form , and blossom attributes . Most sort are deciduous , while other are evergreen . Foliage varies from simple , placid , fizgig - comparable leaf to delicate , frilly , deep lobed leaf .
Most Clematis are climbing vines , but others crawl along the ground , and a few even have upright shrub - similar growth wont . They range in size of it from a few foot to over 30 feet in duration . There are some varieties that are well - adapted to moth-eaten climates , while others are brave only in warmer climate zones .
Clematis are perhaps well know for their heavy , coloured , showy flowers , but there are many variety with smaller white heyday . Flowers can be turgid and brilliantly colored , small and white , droop and campana - like , shaped like a broad - petaled phonograph record , or delicate and shar - shaped . There are variety that will blossom during virtually any season of the year .
With so much variety within a single genus of efflorescence plant , it ’s not surprising that they ca n’t all unfeignedly be grouped into a few mere family . Perhaps the best way to fix the interrogation about whether a Clematis is considered a vine or a bush is to look at some definitions .
A vine is a climbing , sneak , or straggle plant . Vine stems typically seek reenforcement by twining or extend tendril , although many vines also creep along the ground and have no tendrils . Many vine are herbaceous , although some have woody stems . Vines can be thin - stemmed and diminutive , less than 1 foot long , while others can develop massive stems and produce to 30 feet or more in distance .
A shrub is a perennial woody flora . It disagree from a tree diagram in that it is poor in stature , and tends to have a slap-up teemingness of smaller branching stems . Many shrubs are deciduous and lose their leaves each winter , but some shrubs are evergreen .
Vining Varieties
This group are the most familiar varieties that people typically associate with the genus . These works areexcellent climbersand will promptly grow up a treillage or arbor , along a fencing or wall , or even up into a nearby tree or bush .
There is a wondrous smorgasbord of rise Clematis ; some are evergreen while others are deciduous , some vines stay small while others maturate very long , but they are all climbers with showy flowers .
Some vining varieties are very vigorous growers , so be sure to give these flock of infinite . You should also pick up whichpruning radical your vining Clematis belongs to . Proper pruning will serve keep them in top stipulation and will aid them produce the most flowers .
Climbing Varieties :
Non-climbing Varieties
There are other variety of Clematis that are vine - similar , but do not generally rise or cling to a livelihood . These plants present vine - like growth in that theytrail along the ground , but do not have a habit of clinging and climbing up a social organization .
They will typically climb only when specifically train to do so . There are several non - clinging varieties which may be either herbaceous perennial or woody , deciduous or evergreen .
Non - clinging assortment :
Shrub-like Varieties
While most Clematis are clearly vines , there are a few that grow with very bush - like characteristic . These shrub - like varieties generally stay humble in stature and produce upright rather than trailing .
They also tend to be herbaceous perennial , so theydie back completely each winterand regrow each bound from the root base . They typically grow intobushy mounds , rather than adhere or climbing . Taller varieties may need to be punt if they are to maintain a bushy appearance .
Shrub - comparable Varieties :
Understanding Your Clematis Type
It ’s very helpful to be intimate what eccentric of Clematis you have . be intimate if you have a climb vine , a non - climbing vine , or a shrub - same plant will help you determine where to place it in your landscape painting . You should also have it away whether or not you need to provide support , and how turgid your support structure need to be .
It ’s also useful to know your plant ’s growth habits so you know if , when , and how to prune your plant . Pruning is all-important for some varieties to generate an yearly profuseness of prime .
But other mixture , such as vines that produce flowers onlyon former wood , or herbaceous perennial shrubs , take little or no pruning , other than routine maintenance to remove beat plant materials .
If you are contrive a garden or landscape design and considering a Clematis , you canplan for the specific variety you need . Be certain to prefer a variety that accommodate your specific need . If you need a inflorescence pergola , you should deliberate a vigorous vining variety .
However , if you want a plant snuggle in your repeated garden , choose a smaller shrubby variety . If you want to grow Clematis in a container , a smaller non - clinging variety show might be an ideal choice .
Final Thoughts
It is challenge to have sex how to classify a very diverse group of plants , such as Clematis . While most Clematis clearly qualify as vine that happily climb a nearby trellis , some varieties are non - climbing herbaceous perennial shrubs .
So there really is no “ one size of it fits all ” family for Clematis . The one affair they do all have in common is the affair that make them so popular . They have resistless flush that bloom promptly and make ashowy addition to your gardenarrangement .
