Selections from the Atragene group will work equally as well :-)) These tend to be all species (or a few very direct hybrids) and so will be quite resistant to wilt, one of the primary reasons viticellas are often recommended. I think one of the reasons atragenes are not so widely recommended for beginners is that they offer a much different flowering habit than do most of the viticellas or viticella hybrids and tend to be not as popular (for lack of a better word) with those new to the world of clematis and expecting large, showy flowers over a long season, as is typical with the LFH's. Viticellas come much closer to this bloom pattern. Atragene flowers tend to be smaller, mostly bell-shaped and nodding or hanging down. And they do have a much shorter and quite early bloom season.

FWIW, do not be put off by pruning chores :-)) It is pretty darn difficult to harm a clematis vine by pruning, so lack of experience is generally not going to produce drastically poor results other than perhaps delaying flowering in some cases. Because of the number of vines in my garden and my serious lack of personal gardening time, sometimes I prune, sometimes not, and the degree of attention when I do varies greatly. I've hacked to shreds large, established vines and at times NOT recommended for pruning and I've not lost one yet. A very large and well-established montana in my garden was by necessity reduced to nubs a couple of years ago and not very delicately and I was convinced I had killed it. While it didn't show much activity for an entire season, it is back this year and blooming quite merrily. Don't let them intimidate you! Go for it - you can't really hurt them by pruning.

Another reason that the atragenes are not suggested as ones for first timer clematis growers is that they do not do well in some zones. In my garden,they don't like heat and humidity and tend to melt away to nothing in a few years after planting. They are generally not as easily and readily available if you go shopping at the big box stores, although they are readily available if you mail order them.

Thank you both very much. You've completely clarified it for me. I was very close to ordering one of the Atragene's to grow into a viburnum I have (saw that on this forum, it was stunning), and that might have resulted in a frustrating experience for a newbie. Any new plants will be the Viticella's for now and I will not hesitate to prune, prune, prune. I think I understand what to expect now.

Gardengal, I'm glad you haven't lost any even through 'less than delicate' pruning. :)

Nckvilledudes(Miguel, right?), good to know about their tolerance. I don't think they would like my full southern exposure because it gets horribly hot and humid, so I am sticking with the viticellas...

Yep, Miguel it is. You might want to give one a try in your garden and plant it with an eastern exposure and see if that helps. Being further north you might have success with the atragenes. Here in NC it is way too hot and humid. Close to 100 degrees the next couple of days!

Hi Miguel, I think between Gardengal's explanation about bloom season and size and yours regarding tolerance, I am content to stick with the viticellas.

I'm thinking I might post pics of what my clems look like now just to get the reassurance that they are doing what they are expected to do...

I feel for you with the high temps...we're actually expected to hit 92 this weekend...don't wilt...! :)

Laura