2 named cultivars

vineN. America Native

Leather Flower

$36.75

The Story

Plant Bio

Clematis viorna, leather flower, is a slender deciduous climbing vine native to the north-central and eastern United States, reaching six to ten feet. Its flowers are unlike garden clematis: small nodding urn-shaped bells of thick, leathery reddish-purple sepals that never open flat, followed by large plumed seed heads that persist into winter.

The thick sepals give the flowers a curious solidity — they feel like leather, hence the name — and because they never open, only long-tongued bees and hummingbirds can reach the nectar inside. It climbs modestly by twining leaf stalks and suits a shrub or fence rather than a large structure.

Uses & Benefits:

Nodding leathery urn-shaped bells, then silvery plumed seed heads through winter.

A modest well-behaved climber for a shrub or small fence, unlike vigorous garden clematis.

Nectar for hummingbirds and long-tongued bees; foliage hosts butterfly and moth larvae.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Vine

Height

90 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North-central and eastern United States

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Nature Hills

In Stock$36.75

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, well-drained soil.
Choose dappled or partial shade with roots kept cool.
Give it a shrub, trellis or wire to twine through.
Water through the first season.
Cut back hard in late winter; it flowers on new wood.
Wear gloves when pruning; the sap irritates skin.

Pro Tip

Cut it to the ground each late winter — it flowers on new growth, so hard pruning costs nothing and prevents a bare tangled base.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it thin supports to twine around 🪢
Keep the roots shaded and cool 🌱
Cut back hard in late winter ✂️
Wear gloves when handling 🧤

Don't

Expect large flat clematis flowers ❌
Let sap contact bare skin ❌
Plant in hot dry full sun ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Native vine for a fence or shrubWoodland edge and riparian plantingHummingbird and specialist bee planting

Companion Plants

Virgin's Bower Coral Honeysuckle American Beautyberry Wild Hydrangea Christmas Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Leather Flower questions

What zones can Leather Flower grow in?

Leather Flower is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Leather Flower deer resistant?

Yes — Leather Flower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Leather Flower bloom?

Leather Flower typically blooms in late spring to early summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Leather Flower need full sun?

Leather Flower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.