This is an unusual plant among the clematis family being placed in the tangutica section but being a cross between C.ligusticifolia and C.serratifolia. It seems to have a somewhat checkered history as it was raised in the mid 1920s but seemed to have been lost to cultivation by the mid 1940s. It later turned up in the very late 1990s for which the plant world should be most grateful as there is very little in the clematis line that is anything like it.
This lovely plant bears masses of these white (3-4 cm wide) open star shaped flowers, made up of four sepals which open out and recurve slightly at the tips.
The sepal shape is somewhat narrowly elliptic to lanceolate. The filaments are initially green (especially on the inside) but quickly change to a distinctive reddish-purple and are finished off with creamy-white anthers with the same reddish-purple connective.This plant bears masses and I mean masses of these small outwardly facing flowers from July to September from that years growth and is a group 3 (hard prune) type.
The plant reaches a height of between 10-12' (300-360 cm) and is best positioned in a sunny or semi-shaded position.
This plant has lovely glaucous light green leaves. This deciduous plant has the most wonderful silvery seed heads that continue its interest long after the flowering has finished.
The wonderfully contrasting filaments make this flower a stunning sight when viewed from close range (it seems to attract the insects too).
Not a garden centre favourite so probably a visit to a clematis specialist will be required if you wish to get your hands on this one.
I initially grew mine in a pot where it did well and flowered profusely but it gradually lost some of its get up and grow and seemed to suffer in the high summer sun so I have now planted it in a root shady position where it seems a lot happier.

Flower Colour	-	outward facing star shaped creamy-white flowers.
Pruning Group	-	Group 3
Hardiness	-	Zone 4
Height	-	10-12' or 300-360 cm
Flowering Season	-	July to September
Aspect	-	Best in semi-shade or sun
Fragrant	-	No
Evergreen	-	No
Other info	-	A cross between C.ligusticifolia and C.serratifolia.