Clematis

And useful too. Lloyd's book is on the Herronswood Nursery list of 'Recommended readings and references' and if you aren't familiar with Herrenswood you need to check that out too. If you are thinking vertically, Clematis can be your best friend. These beautiful vines are not invasive, and depending on the species you purchase can tolerate a variety of circumstances. Some bloom once, some in spring and fall, and some throw out a few blossoms all season. Clematis hybrids include soubles and singles as well as large-flowered and small-flowered hybrids (Lloyd covers them all), and some older types that generally have a single showing in spring and then are quiet the rest of the season. They come in a variety of colors ranging from white to dark purple. Some Clematis are not vines at all but herbaceous non-climbing shrubs. Lloyd is an English gardener with a pedigree--he is considered one of the leading experts on Clematis. He has training as a horticulturist and has been gardening for a very long while. Bennett works for an Environmental Health office and runs a Clematis nursery in Durham England. I have grown Clematis for years, usually in combination with a climbing rose of some kind and I recommend this book and the Clematis vine. I live in Virginia where roses don't always do well, but the Clematis do...however, don't plant 'Sweet Autumn Clematis' it is classified as an invasive by the Feds.