Clematis, Forsteri Clematis, Early Small Flowered, Evergreen Clematis 'Purity'

There is an identity confusion here between two very different species with similar-looking, small white flowers. Both species have been ...Read Morecalled Clematis paniculata.

This entry is for a cultivar of a rare, evergreen, spring-blooming species that's endemic to New Zealand and not hardy north of Z7a.

This is NOT the aggressive sweet autumn clematis AKA Japanese clematis, which is C. terniflora but USED to be called C. paniculata.

The species we're concerned with in this entry blooms on new wood in the spring, and should only be pruned in late spring shortly after flowering, if you want it to bloom the next season.

I first saw this plant growing on a stone wall beside rte 138 in Rhode Island, and was intrigued. I didn't know what it was, but I wante...Read Mored one. Finally, after searching for 5 years, I found one. Planted beside a split rail fence, it has thrived for at least 10 years. I've collected numerous seedlings and planted them in other locations where they can climb. I have not found this plant to be invasive or otherwise problematic. Most of it gets winter-killed, so it controls itself. It's not necessary to remove the dead material, but it definitely looks neater if it is cleaned up in the spring. I understand this plant to be highly poisonous and possibly a skin irritant. I've handled it extensively and never had any adverse reaction. I don't know where the name Virgin's Bower comes from, but it did not work with my daughter.

I cant say enough about this plant. A friend gave me a small seedling and look at it 4 years later! I have given it so little attention....Read More..but very important is to have something sturdy for it to climb on. I have a wire mesh attached to the wooden frame structure. The wood form , was built to hang deer during deer hunting. I thought it should be used for something far better and it has worked out well.
Last summer Wisconsin had a drought and since this is far from the hose, it only was watered a few times. The roots must be very deep for it thrived and bloomed just like the year before.
I love it.

i love autumn haze. hope to grow it in vt this year. Wonder will it grow here?
had it in Texas and KY.
there seems some con...Read Morefusion about its invasiveness.
i was told there was 'old man's beard' [c. vitalba] which is a weed, some of us might like anyhow, and will take over; and 'autumn haze'[c. terniflora] which is slower growing, can be a wonderful giant fully white frothy flowering bower vine, but not invasive at all. it took me 3 years to get mine to take in KY. very slow growing.