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 0oF. or below, except as noted.
C. armandii, evergreen clematis, is a massive vine, growing 20’ or more in all directions. It has thick green stems and long, shiny evergreen leaves. In spring it produces clouds of fragrant white blossoms. ‘Hendersonii Rubra’ is typical of the species in growth habit, size and general leaf characteristics, though it is redder than most selections in new growth. Most prominent, however, are the masses of soft pink blossoms in spring. Selected and introduced by the Henderson Experimental Gardens. Both hardy to 5-10oF.
cirrhosa. An unusual evergreen species, rather delicate in appearance. It grows at a moderate pace to about 20’. The leaves are 2" long or less, undivided or lobed, dark and shiny. The cupped, pendant flowers are 1-2" long, white to cream in color with darker markings on the inner surface. Many are fragrant, too. They bloom in winter and early spring, when little else is in color, with a scattering of flowers at other times. Later, the seed heads are quite decorative and long lasting. ‘Freckles’ has reddish purple blotches within. The flowers of ‘Guernsey Cream’ are cream white, with greenish markings. Hardy to around 10oF.