Two of my favorites:

C. pitcheri, native

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C. armandii, evergreen

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I don't think I ever met pitcheri in person. I bought an armandii but was not able to keep it alive even one season . I had wanted one for a long time and finally found one and forked out the $25 and it did not live. I watered it nearly every day but I now believe that it was not enough because it was in a real dry area with some oak shade. I shouls have use a 5 gallon leaky bucket to water it well.

My favorite is Gurnsey Creme/Cream. I think it is spelled both ways depending on where you find it. It is creamy white, grows fast, large bloom and the most prolific I have of about 70 clematis.

Clematis, clemati or clematum ;-) The President and Niobe - since I'm a fool for purple and deep reds, and 'armandii' for it's evergreen foliage and fragrance.

I wish I'd get off my duff and figure out this pruning thing - I've just let mine go for years without any but they seem happy enough.