Clematis ochroleuca

Common Names

Curlyheads, Curly Heads, Ochre Clematis

Summary

Clematis ochroleuca is a North American native flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, commonly known as Curlyheads and erect silky leather-flower. It is a tidy herbaceous perennial reaching about 18–24 inches tall with erect, ribbed stems bearing silky hairs near the leaf nodes and developing lateral branches that increase flower production. The plant bears solitary nodding urn-shaped flowers described as whitish to greenish-yellow with a purplish tint near the base; the four sepals are silky-haired on the outside, followed by golden, fluffy seed heads about 3.5–5.5 cm long, creating the curlyheads display. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and moist to well-drained soils, tolerating alkaline and slightly acidic conditions; hardy in zones 4–9 and drought-tolerant. It is easy to grow with few problems and suitable for native or rock gardens, woodlands, or perennial borders. Propagation is best by seed, since cuttings are difficult to root; seeds ripen in early summer, should be stored dry in a refrigerator, and sown in early winter in pots in a greenhouse.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

12-15 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade, with some afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

No single ideal pH; tolerates slightly acidic to alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Cream to white with yellow hues

Bloom Time

Late Spring to Early Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

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