Cheryl, sorry about the move that made you leave behind your clematis. Think of the new space as a bare canvas. I think your lack of success with the last clematis you had is probably due to the source of them. Buy from one of the nurseries that specializes in clematis and you will have better luck. What types did you attempt to grow last time that died?

I also would highly recommend trying the type III clematis. The type IIs are the ones most people are familiar with but the type IIIs generally have less problems and tend to be more resilient. Realize that planting on a westerly exposure is going to be putting your clematis in the full force of the afternoon sun, another reason to plant the type IIIs since they can take more sun than a lot of the type IIs. Not sure where in Colorado you live, but if you are high in altitude realize that the effects of the sun will be magnified because the atmosphere is thinner. There are a multitude of type IIIs in a variety of colors that would work in your situation. I also suggest constructing your raised bed rather than using pots because that environment is going to be a whole lot more conducive to growing clematis successfully than pots will be. It will also be a lot easier keeping the soil mulched and well watered in the ground, rather than a pot. Just think of a raised bed as a very,very large pot. The larger the pot, the more the soil mass, and the less watering due to the soil mass in the larger pot.

Suggestions for your area would include Alba Luxurians (white), Betty Corning (pink and fragrant blooms), Madame Julia Correvon (red), Polish Spirit or Etoile Violette (purple), Perle d'Azur (blue)... the list could go on. I personally think the viticellas are the easiest and most carefree clematis to grow.

Those are very helpful words! We are in Colorado Springs, alt. 6000 ft. - even on the Front Range, the sun can blister. There is some afternoon shade from the maple tree in front, but I think the type III's are the way to go, as you explained it. We tried a Niobe, a Jackmanii and a Nelly Moser, and all of them died. All the other flowers we moved or started here are thriving - Colorado Springs tends to have clay for soil, but for some reason, we have beautiful soil in my neighborhood - I think this is where they buried the bodies. Actually, it was part of a farm until the 40's, and we are reaping the benefits of being near the pigpen. I think of it as my own slice of New Jersey, where I was raised, and where if you dropped a seed in the middle of a field it would not only germinate, but take over the property.

Look forward to seeing pictures of your blooms!

PS I love Colorado. I visited once and drove from Denver to Aspen over the continental divide. We stayed in Aspen in late September and the scenery was beautiful.

It it beautiful here, and the drive you took showed off one of our highlights - the aspen trees in fall - but don't envy our soil or our growing season. We are technically a high desert, cactus and yucca are the big natives. Global warming is predicted to bring more snow and warmer weather to the Rockies, which wouldn't hurt us gardeners. I guess someone's got to benefit!

Yep, saw the aspen trees and went horseback riding in the mountains in an area that if memory serves me correctly was called the Maroon Bells. Gorgeous. This has been over 20 years ago.