Purple Clematis

Purple Clematis (Italian Clematis)

Clematis viticella

Plant portrait: A vibrant purple-flowered climber threading its way upward before opening broad stars among the leaves. Or they may appear to look more bell-shaped.

Garden rhythm: Deciduous vine; blooms from summer to fall.

Garden companions: May provide pollen or nectar to insects.

Worth noticing: While this beauty prefers full sun, she requires cool, shaded roots and well-drained soil, neutral to alkaline. Cut back the old stems to just 1.5 feet off the ground and you should have new shoots for next season.