Clematis texensis (Scarlet Clematis)

Also known as Scarlet Leatherflower, Texas Clematis.

Scarlet Clematis is a delicate vine with bell-shaped red flowers.  It blooms on new growth. Flowers are followed by feathery balls of plumed seeds. It blooms best with half a day of, preferably morning, sun. This is a very hardy and drought tolerant clematis that is native to the Edwards Plateau, where it grows along streams, on shady limestone ledges, or on rich bottomlands.

Scarlet Clematis is woody at the base but its stems are herbaceous, so it dies to the ground in the winter and blooms from new growth in the spring. Like all vining clematis, Scarlet Clematis needs a support for its twining leaf stalks, and likes to have its roots cool and shaded but its foliage in sunlight. It will do best in somewhat shaded, well-drained soil. Roots should be kept cool, shaded and uniformly moist. Prune back hard (to approximately 8-12” from the ground) to strong leaf buds.

Scarlet Clematis provides good architectural height and framework for small gardens. It can also be planted to sprawl over and through large shrubs or to scramble over rocks along paths.

DISTRIBUTION MAPS 

USDA MAP

BONAP MAP

Present in state

Present in county and native

Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state

Not present in state

Present and rare, native in county

Previously present, now extinct

Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color)