PlantFiles: Clematis
Clematis montana var. rubens

Rubens is beautiful growing under the eaves of the patio. The foliage is lovely in zone 9 except for about 2 months when it goes dormant.
Even without flowers this vine is worth growing because of the lacy foliage. The flowers are wonderful in the spring although mine tend to be white instead of pink. It may be because it receives little light.
Although people say that it smells vanilla, I haven't found that mine does.
Like most clematis it is slow to start but will eventually grow to 30 feet with quite a substantial trunk.
This cultivar should only be pruned in spring after flowering. Then only dead wood or neatening should be done as Montanas bloom only on old wood.

This plant is amazing. The scent is mild vanilla and the flowers are ABUNDANT (pink with tinges of white) in spring. I leave it alone and just enjoy it.