Native to China, this deciduous climber is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphnium, columbine, and hellebore. The vines grow up to 40′ long and have dark green trifoliate leaves and an abundance of single 2-3′ wide flowers that often cover the vine in late spring and early summer. Each flower consists of 4 petals surrounding a yellow center and has a mild vanilla fragrance. The vigor and floriferousness make this vine a good choice for growing on walls, pergolas and other structures, and through trees and shrubs. The genus name, Clematis, is the ancient Greek word klematis referring to a climbing plant. The specific epithet, montana, comes from the Latin word mons, montis, meaning mountain, and refers to natural habitat of the plants. The varietal name, grandiflora, comes from the Latin words grandis, meaning large, and flos meaning flower and refers to the relatively large flowers.
Type:Deciduous climber
Bloom: White, 4 petaled flowers 2-3″ across with yellow center in late spring to early summer
Size: 25-40′ H x 25-40′ W
Light: Full sun to part shade; roots need shade.
Soil: Average, medium moist, well-drained, neutral to alkaline; roots need cool soil.
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Care: Prune to tidy up after flowering. (Pruning Group 1)
Pests and Diseases: Aphids, caterpillars, earwigs; slime flux
Propagation: Layering, semi-hardwood cuttings
Karen Meyers