vine

Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang

$22.50

The Story

Plant Bio

Clematis aristata, commonly known as old man's beard, is a vigorous evergreen climber native to the wet forests and rainforest margins of eastern Australia. It climbs by wrapping its sensitive leaf petioles around supporting structures, ascending up to fifteen metres into the forest canopy.

The species is dioecious, producing masses of creamy white, star-shaped male or female flowers on separate plants from spring to early summer. Female plants subsequently develop decorative, feathery seed heads that resemble fluffy grey plumes during summer.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces masses of star-shaped white flowers followed by highly decorative, feathery seed heads on female plants.

Acts as an effective evergreen screen or groundcover to suppress weeds on shaded banks.

Provides valuable nectar for native bees and butterflies, while birds use the dense foliage for nesting and the seeds for food.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Vine

Height

590 inches

Width

196 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Medium

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Toxic if Ingested

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Dancing Oaks

<1 Gal Pot

In Stock$22.50

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with deep, moist, well-drained soil where the roots will remain shaded and the vines can climb into light.
Install a sturdy trellis, fence, or allow access to a companion tree to support the climbing petioles.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, plant at the same depth as the pot, and water in thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base to keep the root run cool and conserve soil moisture.

Pro Tip

Establish this climber with its root system in deep, cool shade—using mulch or companion shrubs—while allowing the upper foliage to grow into the sunlight. Prune selectively after flowering to maintain a tidy framework, avoiding hard cuts into old, leafless wood which struggles to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Mulch the root zone heavily to maintain a cool, moist root run.
Prune lightly directly after flowering to control lateral spread.
Provide a strong support structure for the twining leaf stems.

Don't

Do not plant in hot, unshaded, baked soil without root protection.
Do not prune hard into old, bare woody stems as recovery is poor.
Do not allow the soil to dry out completely during the establishment phase.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Fences and trellisesUnderstory plantingGroundcover on embankmentsNative and wild gardens

Companion Plants

Lomandra longifolia Dianella caerulea Prostanthera lasianthos

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang questions

What zones can Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang grow in?

Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang bloom?

Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang need full sun?

Old Man's Beard, Goat's Beard, Traveller's Joy, Australian Clematis, Mountain Clematis, Austral Clematis, Minam 'Berang does best in part shade.