Clematis scottii (Viorna Group)

Clematis scottii (Sugar Bowl Clematis) is a non-vining herbaceous perennial boasting masses of nodding, urn-shaped, dark violet-blue (rarely pink or white) flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm). Blooming from early spring to late summer, the blossoms hang from the top of naked flowering stems. They attract bees and bumblebees and are followed by ornamental, silky-fuzzy seedheads in late summer to fall, adding further interest. Sugar Bowl Clematis has a handsome blue-green, lacy foliage of compound leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm) with lanceolate to ovate leaflets. Slow to establish but very long-lived, this is a good choice for rock gardens, border fronts, native plant gardens, prairies, or meadows.

• Grows up to 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
• Thrives in rich, fertile, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun or part shade. Some drought tolerance once established, but soils should not be allowed to dry out fully.
• This Clematis belongs to the third group of Clematis – a group including Clematis which flower in late summer on growth made in that season. They should be pruned in late winter or early spring and require ‘hard pruning’: simply cut back the stems to a pair of strong buds about 1ft. (30 cm) above ground level before growth begins in early spring.
• Native to South Dakota, Wyoming, western Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
• 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 their 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.