Clematis pitcheri

Clematis pitcheri (synonym Clematis viorna pitcheri) is a wild Clematis that grows in certain regions of central and south-central United States and northern Mexico, where it is found in open woodlands on slightly moist rocky outcrops. It is a herbaceous species that acts as a perennial, regrowing from the crown each spring. From late spring, this climbing or creeping plant offers an original flowering, consisting of small pendulous bell-shaped flowers, a bluish-purple colour with a nearly white rolled-back border, followed by decorative feathery seed heads. Plant it in partial shade, in well-drained but not too dry soil.

Clematis pitcheri belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, like all clematis. It is a botanic species of temperate America that can be found from Texas to western Kentucky and southern Iowa, up to an altitude of 2,200m (7,217ft). The plant is cold-resistant, and tolerates limestone, but needs light, humus-rich, well-drained soil, still slightly moist in summer.

The brittle stems of Clematis pitcheri renew themselves each spring. They can reach between 3 and 4 m (10 and 13ft) in length. The leaves have a highly variable appearance and are arranged in an opposite manner along the stems: they can be either entire or divided into leaflets. The compound leaves can have 2 to 8 leaflets, and the leaflets can be either entire or lobed, with their shape ranging from ovate to lanceolate. Flowering begins in June and continues until September. The solitary, pendulous and urn-shaped flowers, measure about 2.5 cm (1in) in length. The sepals vary in colour from violet to blue, they are recurved at the tips and may have slightly crumpled margins. The bristled seeds are gathered in plumes that can persist on the plant in winter. The flowers are visited by bumblebees. All the above-ground, deciduous vegetation dries up and dies in autumn. Prune in March to 25 cm (10in) above the ground.

Clematis pitcheri is a plant that will delight collectors of rare species. This plant has some easy requirements, it will thrive in a partially shaded rock garden in slightly moist regions, or even in a medium-altitude garden with morning sun. You can let it twine around the branches of shrubs or on a trellis, or let it crawl on the ground. You will create a beautiful composition by combining it with another bell-flower clematis, Climbing Decorosiers Opalia Rose, or climbing hydrangea 'Silver Lining'.