Clematis pauciflora, Small Leaved Clematis

Virgin's Bower, Old Man's Beard

A perennial vine that can crawl up to 30 feet tall.  White flowers bloom in the summer.  It is deciduous in the summer.  This vine is toxic and causes a skin irritation.  Early settlers called this plant the pepper vine and used this as a pepper substitute.  

Plant with: Manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.), Ceanothus sp., Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides or minutiflorus), Summer Holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia ssp. diversifolia), Flannelbush (Fremontodendron sp.), Silk Tassel Bush (Garrya sp.), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Mallow (Malacothamnus sp.), Laurel Sumace (Malosma laurina), Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia), Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia or xacutidens), and Mission Manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor)

- Full shade to part shade

- Best in sand and clay soils 

- Water twice a month once established

- Great companion plant under evergreen oaks

- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

- Deer resistant

- Hardy up to -20 degrees

- Native to California