Yes, I'm sure it will.

I also garden in Zone 8b. My area has wet winters and long dry, hot summers on a western slope. I do not do as well with type 2's in general such as Guernsey Cream. It is a real struggle to get them to grow. I have to water frequently and mulch often. 2' still look pretty scrappy as the summer wears on. You might be better to grow a 3 like a viticella of some kind. The flowers are smaller but they are much more abundant.

My girlfriend is only a short distance from here but she lives part way down a ravine with a creek at the bottom. She has more moisture in her area and can grow the 2's better so a lot of it depends on your growing conditions. 2's also do better in western Oregon and Washington because of the marine influence and slightly cooler summer conditions.

Some of my favorite 3's are Alba Luxurians, Viola, Polish Spirit, Prince Charles, Ville De Lyon,Rogue Cardinal and Duchess of Albany.

Katie

Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis On The Web Data Base

I figured if she can grow Rhododendrons well than Clemmies will too. :)

Here in Portland I get mildew on my III's and my friend Sean in Vancouver BC does too. He now grows only IIs.

buyorsell: thanks, yes the rhodies seem to grow quite well. I'm a little confused though. Anything I've been reading says that clematis like alkaline soil but I believe the soil where my rhody's are situated tend to be more acidic. Will clems grow in acid soil?

katie: thank you for the link. I spent some time looking at all the different clematis. Sure is hard to choose just one.

Yes, they will.

The alkaline soil thing for Clems isn't necessarily true.

Thank you buyorsell: It's good to know that it's not necessarily true.