A large and vigorous climber, Clematis tangutica Bill Mckenzie has large and distictive four petalled flowers, which arch back gracefully to reveal darker stamens beneath them. The flowers are produced in profusion throughout summer, and are followed by silky seed pods thereafter extending the season of interest. Can grow as high as 8m and as wide as 4m in time, but will become bare at the base if left unpruned. This may be desirable where the flowers are wanted high in a tree or over a pergola, but if restricted growth and lower flowers are required then this plant can have all stems pruned back to a good pair of buds about a foot from the ground in late winter/early spring. Suitable for any soil type and any aspect. Fully hardy.