Clematis versicolor

Clematis versicolor is one of the finest US native clematis, but one we rarely see in cultivation. In the wild, Clematis versicolor hails from rocky open woods and ravines from Kentucky south to Texas. In the garden, Clematis versicolor behaves as a sprawling vine, which for us can reach 8' in length as it weaves its way carefully and unaggressively through neighboring perennials like a lightweight snake. For us, Clematis versicolor has a long flowering period from April through June, resting during the heat of summer and resuming in September and October. Glaucous green, rounded pinnate leaves adorn the wiry cinnamon-colored stems which are topped with an abundance of terminally-produced pendulous purple bells that fade to white toward the tip. The flowers are intermingled among the attractive golden seedheads that replace the spent flowers. This is simply a superb garden specimen!