Clematis 'Odorata'

The best Clematis for fragrance-lovers! The rich vanilla scent of these blooms will make you hungry, and the sight of this massive vine in full bloom is almost an embarrassment of riches! Masses of 2-inch rosy-pink blooms appear in late spring and early summer, each forming a neat "X" shape around a small yellow eye. At the height of the season, the flowers are layered many deep, richly scenting the garden and dazzling the eye.

Introduced in England more than 100 years ago, this Chinese species is the recipient of numerous awards and countless devoted followers. It is not a Clematis for the faint-hearted; the ultra-vigorous climber grows 20 to 30 feet long, and needs very sturdy support, such as a large tree, wall, fence, or building.

The show begins in spring, when the new foliage emerges tinged with bronze, keeping its hues until the warm weather sets in. Among the first Clematis to bloom each year, it thrives in full sun but can also flourish in partial shade. Robust and adaptable, this is a legacy planting that can define the entire garden when used in a prominent position. And the vanilla-like scent is absolutely unforgettable!

Clematis is easy to grow in a rich, porous, alkaline soil with plenty of room for the roots to spread. C. montana var. rubens requires good soil drainage and appreciates protection from pockets of frost. Like most Clematis, its best performance is when the tops are in full sunlight and the roots are shaded, so apply a generous mulch or a shallow-rooted groundcover near the base of the vine. Pruning Group I. Zones 6-9.