How to Grow and Care for Clematis

Large-flowered clematis (Clematis patens) is a climbing vine with woody stems that takes several years to establish itself. The genus name, "Clematis," means "climbing," and indeed, it is sometimes called the queen of vines. Bloom types vary widely because of the range of hybrids and variants. Large-flowered clematis is pollinated by and is a good food source for bees. It is, however, very toxic to humans.

Anemone clematis (Clematis montana) is a beautiful flowering vine that will grow to 6 m long. It is deciduous in winter with new leaves appearing in spring. Leaves start out as dark purple changing to shimmering bronze and then brilliant green. Flowers bloom in summer with an abundance of showy, fragrant, pink flowers. Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Plant along an arbor, garden wall or trellis.

Devil's darning needles is a climbing vine native to the Southeastern United States. This vine attaches by delicate tendrils and therefore does not harm its supporting structure. It is attractive to bees and hummingbirds while being deer resistant. The flowers on this vine are white and bloom through the summer.

The asian virginsbower is one species of garden clematis that has generated some incredible beautiful varieties. It is a deciduous vine that produces creamy white to purple flowers according to varieties and blooms in early summer on shoots that developed from the previous year's growth.

Sweet autumn clematis is a flowering vine in the buttercup family. It was first introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant but has since naturalized and even become invasive in some areas. It produces white flowers in the fall.