Scott's Clematis is a compact, upright bush clematis native to the Rocky Mountain region, where it thrives in open woodlands and mountain meadows from South Dakota to New Mexico. Unlike the vining clematis many gardeners know, this species grows as a neat clump reaching just 9-12 inches tall and spreading 12-18 inches wide, topped with showy flowers from May through July. Hardy in zones 4-7, it handles drought once established and resists deer browsing, making it a surprisingly tough addition to rocky or challenging garden spots.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-7
12in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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This non-vining clematis earned its common name, sugar bowl clematis, from its distinctive flower form, and it brings genuine mountain meadow character to gardens. The upright, clumping growth habit sets it apart from typical clematis vines, and its native range across the Rocky Mountain foothills tells you it's built for challenging conditions. Once established, it tolerates drought and deer pressure while asking only for moderate watering and care.
Scott's Clematis serves as an ornamental flowering perennial, valued for its showy blooms in rock gardens, native plant landscapes, and areas where traditional vining clematis would overwhelm the space. Its compact, upright habit and drought tolerance once established make it well-suited to xeriscaping and mountain gardens that echo its native habitat.
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“Scott's Clematis is native to the open mountain woodlands, meadows, thickets, and rocky slopes of the Rocky Mountain region, particularly noted for its showy presence in the foothills of the Front Range from southern Wyoming and Colorado westward through Utah, as well as in western Nebraska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Its prevalence across this broad native range speaks to its resilience in high-altitude, exposed terrain where few ornamentals thrive without coddling.”