Purple Leatherflower

Clematis pitcheri

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Purple Clematis, Leatherflower, Bluebill, Bellflower Clematis, Pitcher's Clematis

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Woodland

Chihuahuan Deserts, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies

Maintenance

Summer, fall: Control reseeding and promote blooming by removing seed pods in summer and fall. Early spring: Prune to ground to encourage fullness. Cannot tolerate poor drainage. Prefers to have roots in a shaded situation. Climbs by means of twining petioles; stems are brittle and should be supported or tied to a trellis.

Comments

Low climing vine. Most cold hardy leatherflower. Showy, attractive, ornamental blooms. Dies to ground in fall. Twines on fences and other plants. Birds eat seeds. Nectar: Common Wood Nymph.

Growth Form

Vine

Height

8 to

10 ft

Spread

1 to

2 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds

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References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. Miller, 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLPI. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Clematis+pitcheri&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=20666&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 52, 6) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 358. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=18708#null

Native Plant Society of Texas