Mystery Clematis Identified!

Mystery Clematis Identified!

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to dig up plants from a neighbor's property getting bulldozed by the new owner. There were a LOT of plants so I invited a friend almost as crazy as I am about gardening to help me dig up the site.

We didn't always know what we were digging up. If it looked different than grass, it was dug up and we would sort it out later.

One of the big stashes we brought home was a collection of clematis vines. They were all over the property, at various stages of development. It was easier to dig up the starts than the more established ones so we focused on the younger ones. 

I planted several vines at the corners of the cedar fence in front of my house, having no clue what flowers might show up.

The mystery clematis vines growing over my cedar fence turned out to be autumn clematis.

Early August, the vines started to entertain tiny white flowers. These vines turned out to be Sweet Autumn Clematis vines, a beautiful snowly-like scene of blooms with a lovely scent and a vine I was hoping someday to add to my garden.

Once established, Sweet Autumn Clematis vines are beautiful late summer bloomers.

This more established Sweet Autumn Clematis vine growing over a neighbor's tree.

Sweet Autumn Clematis is a hardy climber, I see the vine growing all over mid-Missouri from simple fences to garden arbors.

To keep the vine in check, I have read to cut the stems back to 12 inches in spring. The vines can reach 30 feet.

It blooms on the current year's growth. I have also read it's unusual to see blooms the first year so I feel privileged that I can identify what these vines are still this year.

Unlike many Clematis, who prefer cool shade on roots and sun on vines, Sweet Autumn Clematis will thrive and bloom well in partial shade. 

Wonderful surprise!

Charlotte