About Clematis viticella L.
Clematis viticella, commonly known as Italian leather flower, purple clematis, or virgin's bower, is a flowering plant species in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is native to Southern Europe and Western Asia, ranging from the Italic Peninsula to Iran. This deciduous climbing plant was the first clematis species to be imported into English gardens. It was already being cultivated there in 1569 by Hugh Morgan, who served as apothecary to Elizabeth I. By 1597, when the plant was already referred to as "virgin's bower", two varieties were grown in English gardens: a blue variety that is actually purple-blue, and a red variety. All varieties of Clematis viticella are winter hardy, tolerate both sun and shade, and show resistance to clematis wilt.
