Semi-woody perennial twining vine with bell-shaped summer flowers that provide nectar to pollinators, including bumble bees, for several months. Each flower is composed of four sepals, which are very strongly upwardly curled, in a shade of blue to purple. Interesting seedheads come after the flowers.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Swamp Leather Flower
Clematis crispa
Plant Type: Vines
Native Environment: Wetland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Blue, Purple
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High, Wet
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Pollinators
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
6 to
10
feet
Spread:
3 to
6
feet
Size
Height: 6 to
10
feet
Spread: 3 to
6
feet
Size
Height: 6 to
10
feet
Spread: 3 to
6
feet
Typical Landscape Use
In native plant gardens where soil is consistently moist, including rain gardens, this plant will climb up or sprawl over a variety of supports adding dimension to a space. Suitable for growing in medium/large containers.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Ideally, plant in fertile soil where consistent moisture can be maintained; train to utilize a support if desired, considering unconventional options like other living plants or tree stumps as well as traditional options like a fence or trellis.
Special Features
Ornamental Fruits / Seed Pods / Seed Heads
Special Usage
Containers, Fragrant, Ground Cover
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.