Rock Clematis

(Clematis columbiana)

Rock Clematis (Clematis columbiana)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Clematis columbiana, commonly known as Rock Clematis, is a deciduous perennial vine native to rocky slopes, open woodlands, and forest clearings in the Western United States, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. It can grow to a height of 10-12 feet (3-3.7 meters) and a width of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). The vine is known for its climbing habit, using leaf petioles to twine around supports. It produces an abundance of small, nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue and purple during the late spring and early summer, which are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Rock Clematis is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to cover structures such as trellises, arbors, and fences, adding vertical interest to gardens. It is relatively low maintenance, but it benefits from pruning to encourage vigorous growth and flowering. This plant prefers well-drained soils, and while it can tolerate a range of soil types, it does best in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. It requires regular watering but is somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Rock Clematis thrives in full sun to part shade, with the base of the plant often shaded and the upper part in the sun. Gardeners should be aware of potential problems such as clematis wilt, a fungal disease that can cause sudden collapse of the plant.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Vine
  • Height: 10-12 feet
  • Width: 4-4.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Pink, Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Rocky slopes, open woodlands, and forest clearings in the Northwestern United States, particularly in the Rocky Mountains

Other Names

Common Names: Columbian Virgin’s-Bower

Scientific Names: , Clematis columbiana, Clematis columbiana var. columbiana, Clematis pseudoalpina, Atragene columbiana, Clematis verticillaris var. columbiana, Clematis alpina var. repens, Atragene pseudoalpina, Clematis pseudoatragene subsp. pseudoalpina, Atragene pseudoalpina var. diversiloba

GBIF Accepted Name: Clematis columbiana (Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray