In this area, clematis is a perennial vine.  There are many varieties, some native, others cultivated hybrids.  All beautiful vines.  We've had this clematis for over ten years!!  And she blooms like this every spring!

 

There are too many rules about growing clematis to remember them all, but the best one is this:

 

In general, clematis likes its feet in the shade and its head in the sun. 

 

So we planted ours under the deck, and let it climb the 4 x 4 posts up through the top deck railing.  I use garden string for it to latch onto, and guide it a little as it goes up.  You can see that I extend the string up the sunburst railings.  It doesn't grow that high every year, but when it gets big enough, it fans out.  

 

You know how grapevines have tendrils?  Well, clematis uses a tendril-like stem on its leaves that twists around the support.  In this case, the garden string.  Of course, it has a mind of its own, reaching for the sunlight, so I try to guide it the way I want it to go.  Sometimes it's very tidy, and some years it's all over the place.  

 

But it's always beautiful!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!