Clematis is often called “the queen of climbers.” It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The Clematis plays a very important role in many gardens as they are attractive and have many varieties of  flowering species. The bright flowers of a clematis plant add color to the garden from late winter all through the autumn. The clematis plants are of variety of colors and grow to different heights depending on the species.

One of the most attractive characteristic of the Clematis  plant is that many breeds change their color from year to year. This can be seen clearly on those plants that are grown in full sun. This is one of the striking features of this plant and attracts many professional gardeners. The stems of Clematis are quite fragile until they are quite old. The leaves are usually divided into leaflet. The leafstalk helps the plant to climb as the stem of the leaf twist around the supporting structure.

Clematis species are found throughout the temperate regions of both hemispheres and also in the mountains in the tropics. The Clematis grows well in sandy, loamy and clay soil but the soil is requires to be well drained or moist but not wet. The Clematis does not require full sun and can grow in semi shade or no shade. They require fertilizer once a month and in order to climb they require support. The seeds are best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seeds of the Clematis need to be pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and removal of as much of the tail and the outer coat as possible should be done. Since it requires a very cold temperature, the seed of the Clematis plant are germinated for 1-9 months or more at 20°C. After they are germinated the seedlings should be pierced into individual pots. When they are large enough to handle, then they should be grown on a cold frame for their first winter. These plants are not infected by many insects but by wilt and fungus. The use of insecticide is not recommended but is only used if required.

The Clematis plant should always be watered thoroughly and deeply during the hot summer months and cut back when the Clematis becomes dormant. The blooming of the Clematis plant depends on how it is pruned. Improper pruning will rarely kill the Clematis plant but will delay the bloom till further into the season. Pruning of the Clematis plant depends greatly upon its species. Pruning a Clematis plant will not affect its ability to bloom, but it will limit the number of blooms produced.

Clematis was called pepper vine by the early travelers. They were also used as a pepper substitute to spice up food since the real black pepper was very costly and rarely obtainable spice. The Clematis contains essential oils and compounds which are extremely harmful to the skin and mucous membranes. Unlike black pepper, the compounds in Clematis cause internal bleeding of the digestive tract if ingested in large amounts. The plants are essentially toxic. Despite its toxicity, Native Americans used very small amounts of clematis as an effective treatment for migraine headaches and nervous disorders. It was also used as an effective treatment of skin infections. The leaves of the Clematis plant are the food for the caterpillars.