Clematis armandii
Common name: 
Evergreen Clematis
Armand Clematis
Pronunciation: 
kle-MA-tis ( or KLEM-a-tis) ar-MAN-de-i
Family: 
Ranunculaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen vine, fast growing to 20 ft (6 m).  Leaves opposite, pinnate compound, 3 leaflets, leathery, glossy dark green, 7.5-15 cm long, oblong-lanceolate to ovate, pointed, droop downward, margin entire.  Flowers creamy-white, 5-6.5 cm long, 4-7 "petals" (these showy parts are actually sepals), fragrant, in large branched clusters in spring.  Flowers are followed by clusters of plumed seeds, considered attractive by some.
  • Sun to part shade.  Clematis, in general, do best if roots are in cool soil (protected from sun) and tops in full sun.  They prefer rich, loose, well-drained soil high in organic matter; a pH of 6-7.5 is recommended by some whereas others advocate an alkaline soil.  Provide support.  Needs pruning after flowering to avoid buildup of tangled dead stems in the inner parts of the vine.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (6) 7     Native to central and western China.  Two common cultivars are,
    • 'Apple Blossom'  -  white flowers shaded with pink, especially on the underside
    • 'Snowdrift'  -  pure white flowers
  • armandii: after the French missionary priest, Jean Pierre Armand David (1826-1900), who studied and collected plants and animals in China for a museum of natural history in France.  Probably David’s most famous discovery was the giant panda!.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: front of Bates, over entrance.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flowers and leaves

    flowers and leaves

  • flowers

    flowers

  • leaf

    leaf

  • plant habit, after flowering

    plant habit, after flowering