Clematis crispa

Common Names

Swamp Leatherflower, Curly Clematis, Blue Jasmine, Curlflower, Curly Virgin's Bower, Marsh Clematis

Summary

Clematis crispa is a deciduous, herbaceous climber native to wetlands of the Southeastern United States. It grows as a twining vine about 6–8 feet tall with pinnate leaves of 3–5 leaflets. Flowers are solitary, nodding bells in blue-violet to violet-blue, with four fused sepals curling back to form a crisp, bell-shaped bloom, and margins that are wavy or crispate with a pleasant fragrance. It prefers moist to wet soils in full sun to partial shade, with roots kept cool and shaded. It can be trained on fences, arbors, walls, or used as ground cover, and propagates by seed, division, or cuttings; hardy in zones 6–9, tolerating a range of soils from loam to sand with acidic to neutral pH. It suits wet garden settings such as marshes, rain gardens, and stream edges, and supports pollinators; wilt disease can occur, so ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-10 feet

Spread

5-8 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; range from Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining, moist loamy soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

6.0-6.8, Slightly acidic to neutral, Around pH 6.5

Bloom Color

Blue to purple

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Layering, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, and birds