COTW describes it as pale blue and that it fades in color as it ages. Wish I could provide more info on this clematis as I purchased one 3 years ago from Joy Creek and it has done diddly in my garden. No bloom, no growth like I have seen in pictures posted by others--it may be a dud plant or I could have been sold something other than what I was told it was. I am beginning to think that it is a weed! LOL

Hopefully someone with better experience with it will be able to answer your question better!

Thanks, Nckvilledudes. Sorry that yours hasn't done well. Maybe it's just not a good performer and I should choose something else. I'm so glad we have these forums to steer us in the right direction and away from mistakes. Do you have or know of another blue bell type that does better? I really love my Rooguchi and would like one just like it in a pale blue.

Rosethyme, don't let my experience with Blue Boy hinder your choice of him in your garden. I have seen way too many pictures of it where it is just absolutely fabulous. I truly think the issue with mine is that is was somehow defective or perhaps not even what I think it is. The integrifolias and hybrids are typically great plants that I wouldn't be without so please don't let me experience prevent you from giving it a go. I am considering ordering another one from another source to see what is going on!

I've seen a mature specimen here that was fabulous and that person banned Rooguchi from her garden for poor performance and mildew.

I've never seen the flowers side by side so I cannot compare though....

Nckvilledudes, maybe contact the nursery for a replacement. Yours must be a weak specimen. I had a rose like that one time that never bloomed in the 3 years I had it. The nursery replaced it saying it must've been a poor specimen. I should try Blue Boy as I love the Integrifolias. I'm just hoping someone will compare the color to Rooguchi as to whether it is about the same or much lighter. My Rooguchi is a dark navy blue and I'm hoping Blue Boy is quite a bit paler.

Rosethyme, it has been three years since I ordered the plant from Joy Creek so I seriously doubt that they would be willing to replace it. Furthermore, all the plants I have ever ordered from Joy Creek have been on the small size for the price that I paid including shipping. I purchase from Joy Creek when they have something that no one else has and I have to have it but I order from other places for the most part.

Nckvilledudes, thanks for letting me know. I have only ordered from Brushwood and Silver Star and am very pleased with both.

I have never mail ordered from Joy Creek, they are about 45 minutes drive for me.

Based on three visits last year, I won't be making the drive this year......

I have read many good things about their mail order business though.

I bought Rooguchi and Blue Boy last fall in 4" pots, and R hasn't shown up but BB is the most vigorous of the 5 I bought, with 5 vines at about 3' tall and several flower buds coming on. The google photos are variable between magenta and purple, and more splayed out than Rooguchi photos. I haven't seen either bloom, but am hopeful. Someone gave me an integrifolia that has 1" sky blue bells, very vigorous, but I don't know a name.

Just to bump this up. I have Blueboy and he is very dissimilar to my Roguchi, more open and paler, really a violet. So has anyone found a "pale blue"?
Sharon