With abundant blooms in a wide range of colors from soft white to dark purple, pink, and even yellow, Clematis reigns supreme among climbers. Native to North America, Clematis is a genus in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) and is a versatile, easy-to-maintain perennial that grows as a climber.

The flowers and foliage depend on the species. Four to eight sepals surrounding a cluster of stamens form showy blooms in the shape of bells or stars. Their leaves may be deciduous or evergreen, typically compound with several leaflets and arranged alternately along the stems.