Jackman’s clematis is a woody, deciduous, twining, perennial climber in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is a hybrid of Clematis languinosa and Clematis viticella , introduced in 1858 by English horticulturalist George Jackman, for whom the epithet honors. Many cultivars have been selected from this cross. Jackman’s clematis requires full sun to partial shade and clay, loam, or sandy, moist soil with good drainage and a neutral pH. Clematis prefer to have their roots shaded so mulch or over plant with other perennials. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges (Type 2). This plant presents a long period of interest. First, large, showy, abundant flowers bloom in summer and sporadically until frost. The bloom yields a coppery brown, plumose seed head that resembles a sea anemone. Use Jackman’s clematis where it can grow vertically such as on a rock wall, a patio trellis, or trees and shrubs in a woodland area. Because it can rapidly reach 10 to 15 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide, it is often chosen for areas where screening or privacy are needed. It provides beautiful flowers and is an excellent choice for an English garden or a cottage garden. It is resistant to deer and rabbit foraging and tolerates growing under black walnut. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Clematis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Opposite, pinnately compound, 2-4.5 inches long, upper leaves often reduced to terminal leaflet and appear simple; leaflets commonly 3, ovate, acute, cordate, entire, glabrous and deep green above, usually paler and pubescent beneath, to 4.5 inches.
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Abundant 5-7" in diameter, open, four-sepaled (occasionally 5 or 6), violet-purple flowers
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
In clusters, each fruit an achene, with long, persistent, plumed style at maturity.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Slender, light reddish-brown or grey-brown, with 6 prominent ridges; pith star-shaped or angular, white, continuous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
English hybrid
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Rock Wall; Vertical Spaces; Woodland
CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.Burning sensation of mouth and mouth ulcers; skin redness and burning sensation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. Dermatitis, ingestion, inhalation