No, it's not a Clematis.

Is it a vine?

not a Clematis and I don't recognize it

It almost looks like a redbud tree to me. They are found wild all over the place here in NC and I have two in my yard. Of course, it could be something else with similar flowers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Redbud

I knew I had a picture of one of mine somewhere in bloom in early spring. Here it is. The only thing that is somewhat strange is that your plant is 10 years old and still that small and with so few blooms. Did your mom plant hers as a very small start??

I don't think it's a tree, but then I was always told it was a clematis. NO WONDER I NEVER SAW A FLOWER! I even fertilized it with rose fertilizer and that turned the leaves brown. I don't know what it is.

Post a picture of it when it is leafed out. The leaves on redbud are very distinctive. The plant looks like a tree or shrub to me. It is definitely something woody and and not a clematis vine.

I love the 'Forest Pansy' redbuds.

I do too BorS. Unfortunately in my climate that wonderful burgundy color to the leaves turns essentially green once it heats up. Planting the trees in an area where they get shade in the afternoon doesn't seem to help with the color reversion in my garden.

A few leaves have popped out.
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I don't think it's a redbud. This looks to be some sort of bush. See how it has so many branches are coming out of the ground?
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If anyone knows what this is, I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm sure it is a multi trunked redbud tree. Those leaves are the clincher.

Totally agree with BorS. It is now in my mind a redbud without a doubt based on the leaves. It may be growing in a multistemmed bushier form, but it is a redbud in my book.

I'm putting in a third vote for redbud - there's really no dispute once those leaves are evident :-) There are several species of redbud, some of which are very shrubby in habit, so not being more tree-like is not a disqualifier. btw, the botanical name for redbud is Cercis, which could easily get confused in one's mind as clematis, especially if plant Latin is not your second language :-))

Well I'll be darned like a sock! I really appreciate your help in identifying this little plant. I think I'll keep it right where it is.

Personally, I'd move it away from the fence. It is going to get much larger though slowly.

Another definite identifier for a redbud is the zig-zag nature of branches, which this one has...

red buds have a heart-shaped leaf.

Yes, they do which is perfectly visible in the photo. :)

kathyjb I cant tell you what it is but I can tell you why the leaves turned brown, you gave it to much fertilizer.
Bill 77 years gardening.

Bill, the leaves are not brown due to fertilization. That is the color of redbud leaves when they first emerge in the spring.

Can say for sure is a red bud tree ...I have one planted in my yard and love the blooms it gives me each spring. Mine has already bloomed and has leafed out.

Mine has leafed out too and it's really pretty. How big will it get? {{gwi:577158}}