WESTERN CLEMATIS

Clematis occidentalis

Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)

A delicate clambering vine of mountain streambanks, western clematis becomes surprisingly robust in cultivation, and its large, pale blue-violet flowers put on a fine show in early spring. They are bell shaped and pendant, quite different from the flat, open flowers of domestic clematis. Once flowering is finished, the clusters of fruits with their long silky styles develop, adding a decorative touch for several weeks. This species has a wide distribution in the northern United States. It is readily trained onto a trellis, holding on by its twining leaf petioles. It is one of the few natives that prefers full shade. It needs a rich soil and regular water, and benefits from a heavy organic mulch like wood chips around its base. It does not compete well with herbaceous plants, especially when young, and bark mulch helps to keep down competition as well as conserving water in the surface soil.