Sweet Autumn Clematis

Plant in spring or fall near a sturdy fence, trellis, or arbor. Sweet autumn clematis is a vigorous, late-blooming vine that produces masses of small, star-shaped, intensely fragrant white flowers in late summer. Dig a wide planting hole, incorporate compost, and set the crown 2–3 inches below soil level. Water thoroughly and mulch well. Provide strong support — it can become very large.

Sweet autumn clematis is a Group 3 clematis — prune hard in early spring, cutting all stems back to about 12 inches from the ground. Without hard annual pruning it becomes a tangled mass. Important note: it self-seeds prolifically and can become invasive in some areas — deadhead before seeds mature to prevent spread. The intensely fragrant fall flowers are extraordinary. Fertilize in spring.