Maypop may not like our cool summers, bluecrown passionflower however is common in gardens here. Try that one, preferably against a sunny wall.

And nearly all clematis, including Nelly Moser, thrive in this climate. They do need attention their first couple of seasons and small ones, from box stores or mail order, are best grown on in a larger container for a season before planting out.

ps. typing in caps is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting. At the very least, it is difficult to read :-)

For a bank that I never water I have St. John's Wort, groundcover Comfrey,
Geranium macrorhyzum, and Cotonester horizontalis. Heathers would also be an option and if you get a lot of different ones they would bloom at different times, some even in winter. Some herbs like thyme and oregano can grow on hot slopes without much water. At the top of my bank I have a superb hedge of rugosa roses, the kind you see growing along freeways. They bloom mainly in spring but don't have to be pruned back like regular roses, don't get eaten by deer, and have edible hips.

I've lost some small clematis so bboy's advice is good. One of my successes is Candy Stripe, like Nelly Moser, and also the purple jackmanii and violacea venosa if I remember correctly.

thanks everyone. please keep the tips coming.
and no more caps. promise.
r. brovold