Clematis armandii - Evergreen Clematis

The Clematis armandii, also known as Armand's Clematis, is a beautiful species from China, appreciated for its vigor, large evergreen leaves of dark and shiny green, and its early flowering in divine-scented white panicles, which begins in late winter in the southern part of our country. Since it does not cling by itself, it is necessary to train it on a support such as a large trellis when planted at the base of a wall. This clematis looks imperial planted in a shrub hedge on which it will climb and, at the same time, hide the dead and brown leaves that remain attached to the branches for a long time. While it may not be the hardiest, it is one of the most spectacular clematis varieties.

The armandii clematis is a robust botanical species capable of quickly covering large areas. It is native to the Himalayas, central and western China, where it grows in deciduous forests and thickets. This species prefers loose, deep soils and can adapt to slightly acidic, neutral, or even limestone soils. Its hardiness ranges from -12 to -15°C (10.4 to 5°F) for short periods. Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family.

The Clematis armandii sends out quadrangular woody climbing stems measuring 4 to 5m (13 to 16ft) long from its woody stump. Over time, this liana will spread over more than 4m (13ft) on the ground. Vegetation starts again in February with the appearance of large reddish flower buds. They quickly swell and elongate to bloom in large clusters of buds. Each one gives rise to a 5cm (2in) diameter flower, composed of 4 pure white sepals surrounding a cream and green stamen center. Their pronounced fragrance resembles that of orange blossom and almond. After flowering, it is the young shoots that develop on the branches. They unfold into leaves divided into 3 large, leathery leaflets, deeply veined, glossy, and dark green. These leaves are so firmly attached to the stems that they have difficulty detaching themselves when they dry out at the end of their life. This results in large brownish-black patches, more or less hidden under the young foliage. It may be useful to remove these dead leaves for purely aesthetic reasons.

Armand's clematis is a moderately hardy variety that does not tolerate very cold winters, especially in heavy soil and windy locations. Plant it up to the Paris region to cover a well-exposed, sunny wall. However, it is a star of the gardens in the south, just like the banksia roses with which it pairs well; it withstands dry and hot summers after 2 to 3 years of careful cultivation and care, provided it is well established in a deep, well-prepared, enriched, and loosened soil. For example, plant it in a shaded hedge where it will climb. It can also be planted in the shade of a large tree, where it will climb to reach the light. It is best to avoid launching it onto a pergola or arbor for two reasons: its evergreen foliage blocks the sun in winter and its dry foliage, which accumulates under the vegetation, is not very aesthetically pleasing. But the beauty of this liana and the fragrance of its flowers are well worth a few minutes of meticulous pruning once a year.