And that is beautiful! I don't know what it is though but I would be gently knocking on the door to ask . Most people with pretty gardens want someone to notice so you could make their day with a compliment! Maybe even get a cutting :)

Looks like a clematis but I don't know the variety.

Thank you. I have never seen anything close to it. I'm taking my other camera to see if I can get more detail.

I think she's shy about knocking on the door.

I think it is clematis huldine.

Not a clematis :-) There is no indication of any vining petioles, the leaves are held on the stems singly (rather than compoundly) and the flower form is off. I'd guess it to be Carpenteria californica, aka bush anemone.

I'll look up Huldine.

Not a match with Carpenteria californica. Lovely shrubs which I wish were more popular. You've pinpointed the very things which are perplexing.

Thank you for your input! It's too stunning to forget.

Thanks for sticking with this Gardengal. Philadelphus is a great idea. I've never seen one here but Sunset says this zone is ok. Do you know if they rebloom in the fall?

I am another vote for it not being a clematis. There are some bare branches that are definitely woody/shrubby, not a vine. It certainly would be consistent with Philadelphus as far the opposite leaf/twig arrangement and the flowers.

I've not seen it rebloom, but my climate is about as different from CA as can be.

It looks like the images of Philadelphia lewisii on Google images. My mock orange is just starting to put out leaves. The fragrance is wonderful. Mine only blooms late spring/early summer. Good call, ggirl.

Philadelphus - as soon as I saw it.

Philadelphus for sure. Smells wonderful.

We have been missing something special. Even from a distance I could see I "needed" one. Thank you all!