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December 2004 Telesonix jamesii November 2004 Ranunculus eschscholtzii October 2004 Crocus speciosus September 2004 Arenaria 'Wallowas' August 2004 Scilla autumnalis July 2004 Leontopodium souliei June 2004 Penstemon pinifolius May 2004 Draba rigida v. bryoides April 2004 Vitaliana primuliflora March 2004 Clematis hirsutissima February 2004 Lewisia pygmaea January 2004 Hymenoxis grandiflora Archive 2003 Archive 2002 Archive 2001 Archive 2000 Archive 1999 Archive 1998 Archive 1997

Plant of the Month March 2004 Clematis hirsutissima by Iza Goroff Clematis hirsutissima is a member of the Ranunculaceae, the Buttercup family, a family it shares with many rock garden genera, including Ranunculus, Aconitum, Actea, Adonis, Anemone, Anemonella, Aquilegia, Delphinium, ... . Clematis is a genus with over 200 species, some herbaceous perennials, and many woody vines. Clematis hirsutissima is one of the smaller herbaceous perennials. It is native to an area east of the Cascade Mountains, west of the Bighorn Mountains, and south to Colorado (with some varieties south to Arizona and, perhaps farther south), usually in grasslands or open pine woods. Clematis hirsutissima grows about 1' (30 cm) tall or taller, sprawling over an area at least as wide, but its open growth is "see through". Its leaves are pinnately divided from two to four times into narrow segments. Despite its sprawly growth its flowers are elegantly presented, perfect vertically hanging bells, each about 1.5" (4 cm) long, blue-purple with a bloom sheen, like that of a plum, a flower which would fit easily into a Victorian design. Clematis hirsutissima is an easy plant to grow after it has survived transplanting, requiring drainage, an open, rocky soil, and at least a half day of sun. Clematis hirsutissima may be grown from seed. Although a plant with multiple crowns may be divided, results are uncertain. Clematis hirsutissima is hardy to at least -32 F (-35 C) and very long lived.