Prefers a deep moist soil in a sunny position. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage. Dislikes light sandy soils. Does well on chalk. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils. This species has the potential to spread from cultivation in areas where it has been introduced and could become problematic. When planting out, in order to avoid the disease 'clematis wilt', it is best to plant the rootball about 8cm deeper in the soil. This will also serve to build up a good root crown of growth buds. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

Young shoots - cooked. Parboiled, then eaten boiled or oil-roasted. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The young buds (Does this refer to flower or leaf buds?) are parboiled then eaten boiled or oil-roasted, or they can be pickled in vinegar. Flowers. No more details are given.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as soon as it is obtained in a cold frame. Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible. A period of cold stratification is beneficial. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, late spring in sandy soil in a frame. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer.

Hedgerows in Kiangsi around 100 metres. Forest margins, scrub on slopes, grassy areas on hills, among rocks in coastal areas; near sea level to 800 metres.