Clematis ‘Sweet Autumn’

* Common name: Sweet autumn clematis

* Botanical name: Clematis terniflora

* What it is: A very dense and fast-growing woody perennial vine that puts out masses of pure white flowers from mid-September through early October – the last clematis to bloom. So prolific in flower that it looks like a mound of snow.

* Size: Climbs by twining up to 10 feet or more in a single season.

* Where to use: Let it ramble on big fences or climb up sturdy arbors or trellises. Grows best in full to light shade. Give it room, and it asks little else.

* Care: Sweet autumn clematis is extremely bug-, disease- and drought-resistant, almost thriving on neglect. No need to water or fertilize. The most important care is cutting it back to about knee high at winter’s end to keep it from getting too rampant. Be aware that it may seed itself, so you may need to rogue out seedlings emerging where you don’t want them. Mine has never showed up anywhere other than where I planted it.

* Great partner: Cover its bare lower stems with a bushy perennial such as mums or ‘Neon’ or ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum, which bloom at the same time.