Clematis columbiana (Rock Clematis)

Native to the Rocky Mountains, Clematis columbiana (Rock Clematis) is a creeping or low-climbing deciduous vine that produces wispy, nodding, lavender-blue flowers adorned with 4 pointed hairy sepals and pale yellow stamens. Borne on long, leafless stalks that arise from the leaf nodes, the flowers do not flare widely and often resemble hanging lanterns. Blooming from late spring to midsummer, the blossoms contrast attractively with the three-parted leaves. They are followed by very ornamental, fluffy, silvery-white plumed seedheads, which remain on the plant, adding further interest. This charming small-flowered clematis can climb on branches of trees and shrubs or creep along the ground.

• Thrives in moist, well-drained soils, in full sun or 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. 
• Hardy, this clematis can quickly grow up to 10-12 ft. long (300-360 cm).
• 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 required. Just clean them up after flowering.
• Native to the Rocky Mountains, east of the Cascades, from British Columbia to northern Oregon and east to Montana and Colorado.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

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. 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.