Clematis

Bushy Clematis | Clematis gentianoides

This small erect non-climbing perennial plant is endemic to Tasmania and is one of six species found in Australia.  It is widespread in poor soils and well-drained slopes of north-eastern Tasmania, the east coast and in dry sclerophyll bush in the south-east of the state.  

The plants grow to around 50cm high and 50cm wide.  The showy white starry flowers have from four to eight petals and are 2-3cm across, appearing from spring through summer.  The plants are dioesius, meaning they have male and female flowers on separate plants.  The male flowers contain numerous silky stamens and don’t fruit, while the plumed styles on the female flowers develop into fluffy, feathery clusters of seeds, which appear in late summer and are a decorative feature of the plant. 

When the seeds are ripe, they can be collected and sown in a seed raising mixture that must be kept moist while the seeds are germinating. When they have developed leaves, they can be pricked out into tubes and grown on until they have developed a good root system and are ready for repotting or planting out.

Growing Conditions

Plants require well-drained soil and do not like being waterlogged. Heavy soils should have sand or gypsum added to improve the drainage.  Combining humus will also help to increase the structure of the soil.  Growing the plants in raised beds will also improve success in heavy soils. Plants will tolerate dry conditions well, but appreciate additional water in summer and will grow in locations from full sun to part shade or filtered light.  In autumn or winter, the plants can be pruned back to cut out the dead plant material to encourage new growth and bushiness in spring when the plants can also be fertilised with a native option where the N:P:K ratio is low in phosphorus.