Plant Profile: Clematis terniflora

Japanese Clematis produces fragrant blooms from late summer through fall. While this plant is undeniably attractive, it grows vigorously, spreading through seeds and runners, which necessitates regular maintenance to keep it in check. It tends to self-seed aggressively and has been known to escape cultivation, encroaching on forest edges, rights-of-way, and areas near streams and roads. As a result, it is classified as an invasive species, particularly in the Eastern United States, including North Carolina, as well as in the Midwest. To curb self-seeding, it is advisable to prune the entire plant back to about three feet in the fall, right after the flowers have faded.

This versatile plant can effectively conceal unattractive spots like tree stumps or chain link fences, and it can also be shaped into a shrub with regular trimming. Additionally, it thrives in vertical spaces such as arbors, posts, trellises, or fences. When used as ground cover, it becomes dense enough to suppress weed growth.

We encourage you to consider incorporating native plants into your landscape. For suggestions, please refer to the options provided on the left.