From tree huggers to container varieties, there is a Clematis for every garden and flowers for almost every month of the year!

As climbers, Clematis are unsurpassed in their long flowering presence, their rich diversity of flower shapes, their wide array of colors and tolerances in terms of exposure and climate. Members of the Ranunculaceae family, Clematis include more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids. They are divided into 12 groups.

The Atragene group of clematis includes early and small-flowering clematis, which are extremely hardy, undemanding, and among the easiest to grow.

Their flowers are incredibly large, 6-10 in. across (15-25 cm). Star-shaped, they may be single, semi-double, or double and are available in a wide range of colors. They usually bloom in two waves. They bloom in late spring or early summer on the previous year's growth. They often repeat blooming in late summer and early fall on new wood.

The earliest Clematis to flower, the Evergreen group includes small-flowering clematis which provide gardeners with some of the greatest pleasures in winter.

The Herbaceous Clematis group contains wonderful herbaceous perennials for the border, which clamber over other plants. They die to the ground at the end of each year, and have no twining petioles to help them climb.

Their flowers are impressively large, 5-8 in. across (13-20 cm). Star-shaped, they may be single, semi-double or double and are available in a wide range of colors. They usually bloom in two waves. They bloom between early and mid summer on new wood. They often repeat flowering in late summer and early fall.

The small-flowered Orientalis group contains the truly yellow clematis. Their bright yellow flowers are lantern- or star-shaped and often nodding. Each flower produces showy pom-pom-like seedheads with silvery silken tails that persist and disperse over the winter and early spring months. They bloom profusely from mid-late summer to late fall and make a particularly conspicuous appearance in autumn when color has disappeared elsewhere in the garden.

The Viticella group of clematis originates from Southern Europe (Italian Clematis) and includes deciduous climbing shrubs regarded as being durable, easy-care, vigorous and free-flowering.