Clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family. The deciduous climbing plants have showy flowers. Small white flowers in panicles, bell shaped flowers, and flat or open flowers are the three flower forms.

There are three groups of Clematis: Group A are early flowering, Group B are the large flowered hybrids and Group C are late flowering.

Flowers of some red, blue and bicolored large flowered hybrids fade from too much sun. Soil should be rich and well draining with a pH close to neutral.

The clematis below was purchased with the label name of Blue Ravine. It has faded despite thriving since planted in a sunny spot with acid soil.