Shrubs🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -20°C

Old Man's Beard

Clematis vitalba

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Old Man's Beard (Clematis vitalba) is a native, woody climber for lime-rich woodland edges, hedges, scrub, and natural hedgerows. The plant climbs using twining leaf stalks through shrubs and trees, forming a dense, green veil. From June to August, it blooms with creamy-white flowers in loose panicles. After flowering, it produces striking silvery-white, feathery seed heads that provide ornamental value well into autumn and winter. It thrives best in moderately dry to moist, lime-rich, and nutrient-dense soil. This species is well-suited for large natural gardens, woodland edges, bird-friendly scrub, coastal thickets, and landscape planting.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
🌸Blooms
🐝Provides nectar
🍓Bears fruit
🍂Has autumn colour

Pruning period

✂️Best pruning period: Feb–Mar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
✂️ Pruning period

Best pruning period

Old Man's Beard can be vigorous. Prune in late winter or early spring to control or rejuvenate the plant. In naturalistic plantings, some of the older vines can be left to provide structure.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Sun, Half shade

Soil type: Clay, Sand, Loam, Humus-rich

Moisture need: Moderately moist, Moist, Dry

pH: Neutral (6.5–7.5), Chalky (>7.5), Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5)

Nutrient richness: Moderately nutrient-rich, Nutrient-rich

Humus content: Moderately humus-rich, Humus-rich

Water drainage: Well draining, Moisture-retentive

Appearance & season

Mature height: 300-1000 cm

Bloom: Jul-Aug

Autumn colour: Yellow-green to yellow. The primary ornamental value lies in the white blooms and the silvery-white feathery fruits during autumn and winter.

Properties

Salt sensitive: No

Edible: No

Scent: The flowers have a light, pleasant fragrance. The blooming period is most notable for the creamy-white panicles and the presence of small insects.

Ecological value

Old Man's Beard is highly valuable for insects, birds, and scrub structure. Its white flowers primarily provide pollen and are visited by bees, flies, beetles, and other pollinators. The plant creates dense growth where small birds and insects can find shelter. The feathery seeds are wind-dispersed and provide extra structure in winter. It is ecologically strongest in mixed, lime-rich hedges and woodland edges. Due to its vigorous growth, it is best suited for spacious, natural plantings.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsExtremely useful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesVery useful

🪰 HoverfliesExtremely useful

🦋 ButterfliesVery useful

🪲 Beetles & insectsVery useful

🐦 BirdsExtremely useful

🐿️ MammalsVery useful

🐞 Other animalsUseful

Old Man's Beard is particularly valuable as a native climber for lime-rich scrub and woodland edges. The flowers attract small pollinators, and its dense growth provides cover for birds and insects.

Distribution in the Netherlands