Clematis cirrhosa

Winter flowering clematis is a delicate twining evergreen or semi-evergreen vine in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family native to the Mediterranea region.  Showy white flowers appear in December making it a bright spot of color and interest in an otherwise often barren winter landscape.  Its name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning brushwood or broken branches, perhaps owing to the fragile stems of this genus and the species name cirrhosa means having tendrils, and though the plant does not technically have tendrils its petioles bend around to support the groiwing vine.  It can reach 4 feet to up to 20 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide supported otherwise it sprawls on the ground.

Plant in full sun against a south or west facing wall in moist but fertile well-drained soil.  It withstands a variety of soil and pH types.  In areas with cold winters plant in a container and move indoors.  Cut it back in early spring immediately after they finish flowering to maintain their vigor. Clematis is a heavy feeder; provide it with a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season.  It will take 2 to 5 years to reach its mature size.  Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or layering in early spring or late winter.  

Plant in a courtyard, cottage, or pollinator garden and take advantage of its winter blooms. Because the blooms hang downward, consider placing them in a location where the flowers can be enjoyed by viewing them from below such as growing them over an arbor or trellis near a patio or walkway.  Take advantage of the wide range of bloom times of other clematis vines and conceivably there could be clematis blooming in the landscape year-round.  This is not an aggressive vine and does well planted to grow over the stems of a deciduous shrub so flowers appear in the winter on bare branches. They are also suitable for containers, naturalized areas, vertical spaces, or woodlands. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Occasional slugs and snails, scale insects, whiteflies, earwigs, and aphids. Wilt, powdery mildew, rust, fungal spots, and stem cankers may occur.