Clematis montana is a vigorous deciduous and frost hardy climber that produces three part, bronze coloured leaves that turn green.
The sweetly scented, four petaled, open faced flowers come in shades of white to pink to red with fluffy yellow upright stamens.
It will flower prolifically in spring and supports itself on nearby objects via its slender tendrils.
It prefers a colder winter.
Varieties include
"Rubens" bears rose red flowers and its leaves are bronze green. 'Alba' bears white, vanilla scented flowers.
Clematis montana var Sericea is also known as Clematis spooneri. It grows to about 6m and has similar flowers in white or pink.