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!

Sweet Summer Love Clematis, My New Favorite

As a landscape designer it is difficult to name my favorite plant, but I do have a current favorite, 'Sweet Summer Love' clematis.
I grew 'Sweet Autumn' clematis back in Northern California and loved how it completely covered a patio wall there, I wanted to try again here in the High Desert and couldn't resist to try this colorful variety!

It is a Proven Winner and a repeat bloomer of cranberry/purple fragrant flowers - what's not to love!

I generally stick to what is available in our local nurseries since our climate is tricky and my clients want dependable plants, but this one I ordered through Harmony Farms in Tumalo for a client (and one for me of course!) to add some color to her patio.

The fragrance is like soft vanilla and the small flowers are beautiful little violet beauties, I can't wait to see how it does in Central Oregon. If it over winters well then look out for it next year I will be ordering lots more!