prairie wildflower
Hairy clematis
Clematis hirsutissima
Also known as Sugarbowls, Vase Flower, Leatherflower, Lion's Beard
1 of 3Native to Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
South-central British Columbia, eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, east to central Montana and Colorado
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 2–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 2 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 2–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Brown-belted Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Tricolored Bumble Bee, Red-belted Bumble Bee +16 more
Hunt's Bumble Bee, Perplexing Bumble Bee, Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee, Colletes inaequalis, Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee, Vancouver Bumble Bee, Nevada Bumble Bee, Yellow-banded Bumble Bee, Great Basin Bumble Bee, Confusing Furrow Bee, Nearctic Bumble Bee, Carlin's Mining Bee, Cryptic Bumble Bee, frigid bumble bee, Cresson's Mining Bee - Butterflies Silvery Blue
also American Red Admiral, Western White, Sheridan's Hairstreak +1 more
Hops Azure - Flower flies Narrow-headed Marsh Fly
also Greater Bee Fly, Large-tailed Aphideater, Yellow-shouldered Drone Fly +1 more
Two-lined Swamp Fly - Also visited by
- Beetles:
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, Convergent Lady Beetle +3 more
Parenthesis Lady Beetle, Undulate Sigil Lady Beetle, Three-banded Lady Beetle - Wasps: Prairie Yellowjacket
- Beetles:
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Red admiralnectar
- Silvery bluenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and WyomingUnited States (7): CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- South-central British Columbia, eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, east to central Montana and ColoradoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8 · Canadian 1–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, well-drained soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.