Forster's Clematis

Scientific name: Clematis forsteri
Maori name: Pōānanga. Pikiarero
English name: Forster's clematis
Other names: Small white clematis

Vine or creeper - native to the Wellington Region
Suits: dry, partial shade, sunny, shelter, exposure, coastal forest garden, coastal and dune garden, small garden or balcony, wetlands and water features

About Forster's Clematis

Variable evergreen woody climber; stems to 5 m long, however more often in a compacted clump of vines. Often growing on shrubs in coastal forests, especially forest margins and rocky coastlines, but also streamsides. September through out to April is the time for the abundant honey-scented, star shaped, creamyellowish flowers. Flowers are followed with cute fluffy seedheads during winter.

 Somehwat hardy and resistant to wind, drought and other adverse conditions in the cook strait area. It should be planted a position where its base and roots can be in shade, but the rest of the plant can climb to the light. With this in mind, shrubs like divaricating coprosmas or small trees between 2 and 3.5m high makes ideal supports, as are or trellis if shade can be provided for the base.

Similar to the white larger-flowered C. paniculata. Also similar to C. foetida both of which have brownish hairs on young leaves and elsewhere.

Provides for birds