''Clematis terniflora'' (sweet autumn clematis, sweet autumn virginsbower) is a plant in the buttercup family,

Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae (buttercup or crowfoot family; Latin "little frog", from "frog") is a family of over 2,000 known species of flowering plants in 43 genera, distributed worldwide. The largest genera are ''Ranunculus'' (600 species), ''Delphinium' ...

. It is native to northeastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia (Siberia), Taiwan). It was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, and has naturalized in many of the eastern states. It is considered a Category II invasive plant in Florida (north and central) and some other eastern states, meaning invading native plant communities but not yet seen as displacing native species.''Clematis terniflora''
Missouri Botanical Garden

Description

''Clematis terniflora'' is a

vine A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themsel ...

with opposite, pinnately compound

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

, on climbing stems. The flowers are white, borne in fall. The blooms are nicely fragrant and visited by bees. In late fall the fertilized flowers become fruit (seed) clusters of 5-6 fruits connected at the heads and each having a long white tail. As these dry, the color of the fruits fade and the tail becomes feather-like. In the spring the fruits detach and are dispersed by wind. File:Fall 2011 sweet autumn clematis1.jpg, Honeybee on sweet autumn clematis File:Clematis-G.jpg, ''Clematis terniflora'' seed clusters on plant File:Clematis-A - Copy.jpg, ''Clematis terniflora'' single seed cluster, early File:Clematis-C - Copy.jpg, ''Clematis terniflora'' single seed cluster, late File:Clematis terniflora var mandshurica Clematis mandshurica BotGardBln07122011E.jpg, clematis on brick wall

Culture

Prefers full sun, but will prosper and bloom in partial shade. These woody-stemmed plants can be pruned in fall or early spring to within a couple of feet from the ground, and will vine up fence, trellis, arbors (or other plants) to heights of 10 to 30 feet. Can also be allowed to sprawl along the ground as a dense ground cover. Blooms on new growth. No serious insect or disease problems. Does not require fertilizer or frequent watering, although will benefit from a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 in spring. Considered deer resistant.Sweet autumn clematis
The Morton Arboritum, Lisle, IL.

References

External links

''Clematis terniflora''
Floridata Plant Encyclopedia

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina. terniflora Flora of China Flora of Japan Flora of Korea Flora of Mongolia Flora of Siberia Flora of Taiwan {{Ranunculales-stub