Type: Vine
Family: Ranunculaceae
Native Range: Texas
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 10.00 to 15.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Reddish orange to scarlet
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut
Culture
Grow in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Roots should be kept cool, shaded and uniformly moist. Bloom occurs on the current year’s growth. Prune back hard (to approximately 8-12” from the ground) to strong leaf buds in late winter to early spring (Pruning Group 3). Needs adequate supply of nutrients during the growing season to support the rush of growth.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Clematis texensis, commonly called scarlet clematis or Texas clematis, is a small-flowered climber that typically grows to 10-15’ long. It is native to Texas. Tulip to bell-shaped, reddish orange to scarlet flowers (to 1” across) bloom from early summer to frost. Pinnate to bipinnate medium green foliage with rounded to ovate leaflets (to 2 1/2” long).
A large number of hybrids have been developed from C. texensis, many dating back to the late 1800s to early 1900s. Tulip flower shape and showy crimson flower color have made C. texensis an attractive candidate for hybridizing. Hybrids are sometimes mistakenly listed as cultivars of the species. Hybrids are usually lumped into Texensis Group.
Genus name comes from the Greek word klematis which is an old name applied to climbing plants.
Specific epithet means of Texas.
Problems
Clematis wilt is a potentially fatal fungal disease that can affect any clematis, but large-flowered, hybrid varieties are the most susceptible. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust and viruses can also be problematic. Potential insect pests include aphids, vine weevils, slugs/snails, scale and earwigs. Watch for spider mites.
Uses
Can be trained to climb a wall, trellis, fence, arbor, porch, lamppost or other stationary structure. Provides good architectural height and framework for small gardens. Can also be planted to sprawl over and through large shrubs or to scramble over rocks along paths.