Hardy Native Clematis Vine

A few years ago I was visiting a consultation client out near Alfalfa on a very hot, dry, exposed site.  She wanted to create a more water-wise, low maintenance and beautiful landscape that was deer resistant and was being challenged by the task.  I came up with some really great ideas for her but as we were walking around the landscape I spotted a vine running twenty plus feet around between some trees and an old structure.  We could not identify it at the time but later I learned it was Western White Clematis.  No wonder clematis do so well in Central Oregon!  What a hardy, tough, beautiful, valuable vine!

Western White Clematis or Clematis lingusticifolia in its habitat.  Quite tough and beautiful!

Looks at these beautiful flowers!  Growing with Sagebrush here.

 Look at these gorgeous seed heads!  So much interest and value for one vine!

It is valuable for bees and attracts birds and hummingbirds.
It is a green deciduous vine growing 12-36' and is noted to like well draining moist soil but I found it growing in an area with minimal moisture, I would say it is adaptable but is healthier and more lush with moisture and certainly needs irrigation to get established.
For more information visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Great news!  Our local native plant resource for Central Oregon, Wintercreek Restoration and Native Nursery currently has this plant in stock.  Did you know you can check their availability online?
Wintercreek Nursery - what a great resource!

I am going to get one or two and plant them growing up the stairs to my rear deck, looking forward to trying it out!