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Western blue virginsbower

Clematis occidentalis

Also called Purple Clematis, Northern Blue Clematis, Purple Virgin's Bower

Western blue virginsbower
Photo: Thayne Tuason, CC BY-SA 4.0

Western blue virginsbower (Clematis occidentalis) is a native woody climber with blue-violet flowers, grown on trellises and fences in temperate gardens. This entry describes the species.

Family
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Grows as
Climber
Light
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment, and water deeply in dry spells.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained loam; tolerates a range of pH, preferring neutral to slightly alkaline.
Temperature
Hardy to about -30 °C; protect young plants from late frosts.
How easy
Easy
Safety
Toxic: All parts contain protoanemonin and similar compounds that irritate skin and mouth and can cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.
Climate
temperate

About

Clematis occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common names western blue virginsbower or purple clematis. It is native to much of southern Canada and the northern United States.

Other Clematis plants

Rush Stem Clematis · Clematis akebioides · Alpine clematis · Goat's Beard · Evergreen Clematis · Clematis aromatica · Pine hyacinth · Bigelow's leather flower · Traveler's-joy · Satincurls · Gold Wool Clematis · Early Virgin's Bower

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Clematis occidentalis by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.

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