Wild clematis...

9 years ago

This stuff has taken over my yard! The neighbor planted a TON of it and doesn't take care of it and now it's gone nuts! Took over my rose bushes and my rose of Sharon tree... Man this stuff grows fast! This was late Feb. Tore a bunch out..just noticed it's already back. Wish it was The pretty kind!

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NHBabs z4b-5a NH

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

It's a bit difficult to ID a couple inches of cut stump. ;>) Do you have any photos of the plant in growth? The leaves can be used to ID the species for some types.

A couple of possibilities:

There are some small white-flowered clematis that are native, but I haven't read of any that are more than mildly weedy (C. virginiana is some settings.)

More probably, C. paniculata can go to seed in zone 6 (seed has time to ripen from late summer blooming.) If you are just cutting it down, that by itself won't kill it since it's one that gardeners hard prune annually. It isn't a native clematis and it is a seeding problem in many areas warmer than my zone. If you paint the freshly cut surface of the stem where the inner bark is with undiluted Glyphosate (generic Roundup) that should kill it, especially if done in late summer through leaf drop. Minimal herbicide usage, and no danger to nearby desirable plants as long as you don't drip any herbicide onto them. It doesn't remain active for a long time period. If you mulch your beds with shredded bark, it will reduce seed sprouting some, and make it easier to pull the ones that do sprout while they are still small. Or if it is a spot that gets a good amount of sun and there aren't plants you want in these beds, take a sharp spade and sever all plants such as the ivy where they come onto your property from your neighbor and then cover the bed with heavy clear or black plastic for the entire season, sealing down the edges with weights. The lack of water and trapped heat will kill most plants. Then you can sink a barrier to keep out the ivy (just check and remove invaders once a month or so), mulch and start a bed with something you want to grow.

You might talk to your neighbor about cutting his back before the seed ripens - it really won't hurt the plant. Or offering to cut his back for him if he is unable. The key to getting something like this under control is not allowing it to go to seed, and if it does, removing seedlings promptly.

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Comments (15)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks like English ivy AKA Hedera helix rather than clematis.
stacydkas
Original Author
9 years ago
The English ivy is it's best friend. Both these vines will be my undoing. When the little white flowers die off I try to catch them before they go to seed and cut them and take them to the trash. The ivy is out of control as well.
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Embothrium
9 years ago
The nuisance kind here is Clematis vitalba. What region are you in?
stacydkas
Original Author
9 years ago
Region 6. And that stuff has climbed clear up into my mulberry trees as well. Its CRAZY! I can't stop it and my neighbor keeps planting more! Goes under the siding on the house!
stacydkas
Original Author
9 years ago
The little white flower clusters turn to seed and makes it harder to get rid of.
Embothrium
9 years ago
I was asking for the geographical region, as in The Piedmont or Gulf States etc. - with more than half of them reaching all the way across the country USDA Hardiness Zones don't say that much about where people are.
stacydkas
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry. Kansas....
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
9 years ago
Yikes ! I've never heard of this ! Does it have any good attributes that make them want more?

My neighbor in Pittsburgh planted bamboo by his back fence and it eventually too over into our yard ( but we had moved by then ). Crazy stuff but beautiful
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Need some clarification - the imported weedy-to-invasive species is Clematis terniflora (not paniculata, although often referred to incorrectly under that name. C. paniculata is a very tender, evergreen species not usually seen outside of its native New Zealand). But terniflora - sweet autumn clematis - vitalba and virginiana can all be rampant spreaders and with an ability to freely self seed in suitable climates.

Would need to see leaf details, flowers and know an accurate flowering time to be able to determine which of these clematis thugs it might be, But trimming back after bloom time, as Babs mentioned, will help to keep any of them under control.
stacydkas
Original Author
9 years ago
This is how it starts. This is just about 2 days growth.
it sprouts up EVERYWHERE.
this is the trellis between our yards and he REFUSES to let it die back or even trim it. I have to wait until he is gone to even cut my side or I get a butt chewin..
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If the majority of the more mature, developed leaves are toothed or with serrated edges, then not C. terniflora. But which one it is really doesn't matter all that much if you need to be rid of it. And that involves cutting to the ground both yours and your neighbor's vine or the removal and stopping of production of any seedlings.

Without either - or both - of these two measures being taken and followed up with closely, you will be dealing with this endlessly.
stacydkas thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
stacydkas
Original Author
9 years ago
I thought so. And when it starts looking "thinned out" on his side he plants more... His garage is completely covered in it... I will just keep hacking and cussing...
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
Thanks for the correction GG48. I persistently confuse those two.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Babs, it would help A LOT if 90% of the world - as in most online sources - didn't refer to it erroneously as Clematis paniculata!! Small wonder folks get confused :-))