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Evergreen Clematis (Clematis armandii), whole plant
  • Evergreen Clematis — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Evergreen Clematis — seasonal appearance
  • Evergreen Clematis in a garden setting

Evergreen Clematis

Clematis armandii

Medium · Some experience

About Evergreen Clematis

Armand Clematis is a vigorous evergreen climber reaching 15-25 feet, producing abundant clusters of fragrant starry white flowers in early spring against glossy leathery dark green leaves. Native to central and western China, it is one of the few evergreen clematis and a showstopping vine for Southern and Pacific coast US gardens. A single plant in full bloom can perfume an entire garden.

  • Fragrant
  • Climbing
  • Evergreen
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to 0°F (-18°C)
USDA hardiness zones 7–9

How to care for Evergreen Clematis

Watering

  • Springevery 5 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 7 days
  • Winterevery 14 days

Soil · Well-draining

  • Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
  • Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
  • DrainageLECA / gravel20%

Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 30 days
  • Summerevery 45 days
Get watering reminders for Evergreen Clematis — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeEast Asia
  • Height15–25 ft (4.6–7.6 m)
  • Spread6–10 ft (1.8–3 m)
  • Flower colorWhite, Pink
  • Foliage colorDark-green, Green
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Mar–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Fragrant white star flowers March to April

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a powerful sweet vanilla-almond fragrance.

Toxicity

Humans Moderate · Pets Moderate

protoanemonin and anemonin

Moderate

  • Leaf
  • Sap
  • Ingestion
  • Contact

EXPOSURE Eating leaves and sap. Touching leaves and sap.

EFFECT Oral irritation, blistering, GI upset from protoanemonin.

NOTE Documented concern for humans: Oral irritation, blistering, GI upset from protoanemonin.

Moderate

  • Leaf
  • Stem
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating leaves and stems.

EFFECT Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea.

NOTE ASPCA lists Clematis as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Moderate

  • Leaf
  • Stem
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating leaves and stems.

EFFECT Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea.

NOTE ASPCA lists Clematis as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Evergreen Clematis · Native
  • Native
  • East Asia

History

Illustrated historical scene for Evergreen Clematis

Clematis armandii occurs naturally in central and southern China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Guizhou, Guangxi) and northern Myanmar. French botanist Adrien René Franchet formally described the species in 1885, honoring Père Armand David (1826-1900), the pioneering French Lazarist missionary and naturalist who collected extensively in China and for whom the Pere David's deer, giant panda (David first documented it for Western science), and numerous plants are named. Ernest Henry Wilson introduced the species to British gardens in 1900.

Unlike most clematis, which are deciduous, C. armandii is evergreen with thick, leathery, lanceolate dark green leaves on vigorous vines to 6-10 meters. In March-April it produces masses of 4-6 cm pure white star-shaped flowers with a powerful sweet vanilla-almond fragrance that can perfume an entire garden.

Hardy only to about zone 7, it is a signature vine of mild-winter garden regions—the Pacific Northwest, Atlantic coast of Britain, Mediterranean Europe, and milder Southeast US. Cultivars 'Apple Blossom' (pink-flushed), 'Snowdrift', and 'Little White Charm' are popular.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Evergreen Clematis carries the signature spring perfume of early gardens, its almond-scented white blooms drifting on the first warm breezes. Paired with exuberance, it covers fences and pergolas in such dense flower that a structure can vanish beneath it. It is a vine for those who want spring announced not in whispers but in cascading, fragrant proclamations.

  • Spring perfume — signature scent of early spring gardens
  • Exuberance — covers large structures in dense bloom

Where the Name Comes From

The common name highlights its green coloring. 'Armandii' honors Armand David (1826-1900), discoverer of many Chinese plants including the giant panda.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Almond-scented white flower clusters perfume early spring gardens
  • Evergreen vine drapes pergolas and walls with leathery foliage

Related plants

More Clematis plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Evergreen Clematis?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 14 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Evergreen Clematis need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Evergreen Clematis toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Moderate (Dogs Moderate · Cats Moderate) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Evergreen Clematis easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

When does Evergreen Clematis bloom?

It typically blooms Mar–Apr in the Northern Hemisphere.

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