Clematis x cartmanii ‘Avalanche’ (Evergreen Group)

Aptly named, Clematis x cartmanii ‘Avalanche’ is a bushy trailing or scrambling evergreen non-clinging climber with masses of pure white flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), in early to mid-spring. The flowers are so prolifically produced that they create an avalanche of blossoms and smother the splendid foliage of deeply dissected glossy, leathery, deep green leaves. Moderately fast-growing, this evergreen clematis can weave through trees, roses, and tall shrubs. It is perfect when trained along a wall, fence, or pergola or as a groundcover.

• Grows up to 12-15 ft. long and wide (360-450 cm).
• Thrives in moist, well-drained soils, in full sun to part shade. Ideally, Clematis prefer having their ‘heads in the sun and their feet in the shade’. Keep the roots cool and shaded by other plants, or add a layer of pebbles or flat stones at the base.
• Propagate by layering or semi-hardwood cuttings.
• This Clematis belongs to the first group of Clematis – a group including Early-flowering clematis, which flower on shoots produced in the previous summer: No regular pruning is required. Just clean them up after flowering.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

As climbers, Clematis are unsurpassed in their long flowering presence, the rich diversity of flower shapes, a wide array of colors, and tolerances in terms of exposure and climate. It is no wonder they are so popular! From tree huggers to container varieties, there is a Clematis for every garden and flowers for almost every month of the year! Members of the Ranunculaceae family, they include more than 300 species and hundreds of hybrids. They create year after year a ravishing colorful show in the garden, whether solely trained on walls, arbors, or trellises or grown in association with other climbers. They are divided into 3 groups which determine how they should be pruned. Regular pruning of Clematis is important as it promotes strong growth and flowering as well as a harmonious plant. If left unpruned, Clematis can turn into a mass of tangled stems with a bare base and flowers well above eye level.