Clematis pitcheri aka Pitcher's Clematis

Clematis pitcheri is a vine in the buttercup family. It is a perennial, so it lives for many years. Its range spans central and east-central America to northern Mexico. In the US, it grows in central and south-central states. It grows on rocky slopes with trees and on bluffs. It also grows at woodland edges, along roads and fences. Other sites with disturbed ground suit it too. One common name is leather flower.

The thin stems twine and reach 10–13 feet [3–3.96 metres]. Plants can spread about 3 feet [0.91 metres] wide. Handling can break the stems, so place supports with care. Leaves grow in pairs, across from each other along stems. Leaf form varies within this species. Some leaves are simple, with just one blade. Others have two to eight leaflets. The leaflets may have smooth edges or lobes. Some are egg-shaped; others are narrow with pointed tips.

Single flowers hang from the stems like small urns. Each flower is about one inch long. The showy parts, called sepals, have purple to blue tones. Missouri Botanical Garden gives May through August as bloom time. Chicago Botanic Garden lists a longer bloom season, into October. The fruit adds visual interest to the garden too. The plant also adds interest in winter, notes Missouri Botanical Garden.

Grow this vine in full sun or part shade. Keep the soil evenly moist, but let excess water drain. It grows in many soil types, even sand and rocky ground. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. Chicago Botanic Garden gives the colder range of zones 3–7. Flowers grow on stems made in the current season. Cut old stems back in winter, before spring shoots emerge. Each spring, new growth comes from the rootstock.

Use a trellis or nearby shrubs to hold the stems. With no support, the vine can trail across the ground. Its growth stays in check, suiting mixed borders and wildflower gardens. It also suits rock gardens with enough moisture and drainage. It may get clematis wilt, which can kill sick plants. Mildew, leaf spots, rust, and viruses may cause trouble too. Watch for aphids, vine weevils, scale, and spider mites. Slugs, snails, and earwigs may also be pests. The supplied species accounts give no guidance on food use. They give no guidance on toxicity either.