CLEMATIS. Worldwide, temperate regions. These range from rampant vines with huge, flat blossoms to tidy bell flowered perennials. Most have 3 to 5 (or more) parted, long-stalked leaves with roughly oval, pointed and often toothed leaflets. The flowers have petal-like sepals in place of true petals, and a distinctive brush of stamens at their centers. Interesting puffs of silky-tailed seeds develop as the flowers wither. Those listed below are winter deciduous unless otherwise noted. Hybrid selections described here represent only a sampling of the hundreds currently grown worldwide. They are neatly divided by some texts according to flowering season and habit. However, our coastal climate, with its alternation of warm and cool weather for several months, seems to confuse them thoroughly. This results in generally extended flowering–a boon for coastal gardeners. Sun or light shade (generally the roots should be shaded, if only by the plant itself, to keep root temperatures down), well drained fertile soil, and moderate watering suit most species and hybrids. Hardy to 0^oF. or below, except as noted.

alpina. This species is similar in growth and appearance to C. macropetala, described below. Both are moderate in growth, usually 10’ or less in height. Both have twice-divided leaves with smooth, bright green leaflets and nodding, broadly bell shaped blossoms in various colors. Those of C. alpina are four parted and around 2" long. This species is mostly spring blooming, but there is generally a scattering of flowers through the summer months. The seed heads are quite decorative. We offer both seedlings in mixed colors and the dark pink flowered strain, ‘Rubra’ at the moment, but hope to add some of the many beautiful named selections shortly.

integrifolia. A woody-based perennial growing 1-3’ tall, with thick, undivided leaves. In midsummer it produces large clusters of thick-textured, bell shaped blossoms, lavender-blue in color. C. integrifolia rosea is a lovely pink flowered form.