Clematis occidentalis (Atragene Group)

Clematis occidentalis (Blue Virgin’s Bower) is a climbing perennial with a woody stem and masses of delicate, nodding, bell-shaped, blue-violet to pinkish-purple flowers, up to 2 in. wide (5 cm). The 4 ovate sepals unfurl to gradually rise from bell to flat, revealing the white inner skirt. Blooming from mid to late spring, the flowers contrast nicely with the leaves that are divided into 3 oval leaflets. The blossoms are followed by very ornamental, fluffy, silvery seedheads, which remain on the plant, adding further interest. Found in rich, rocky, deciduous forests, ledges, talus slopes and river banks, Blue Virgin’s Bower climbs by twining its long leafstalks around other plants. An elegant and beautiful spring flowering clematis, Blue Virgin’s Bower grows in the shade in nature but will take more sun if the roots are cool and protected. It looks best when rambling through a nearby tree or shrub.

• Thrives in dry to average moisture, 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 3-12 ft. long (90-360 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 North America
• 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.