My parents had a beauty that covered their back fence, it must have been 30 years old when they finally moved out. I tried one here on the Western Slope, it took off ok but died after a few years.

I tried a replacement, but it wasn't the same species and turned out to be some major weed that after 4 years was swallowing an entire border. Think Kudzu. I managed to kill the monster after cutting it off - it rooted everywhere it touched the ground, hauling off a mountain of stems, then two years of spraying the heck out of the stumps, and even now I'm still finding the offspring from seeds, which are everywhere on the property. So make sure you get the right variety.

I love clematis, and have several varieties. Far and away, the best one I've got is jackmanii, but many will do great, particularly on the east side of a building.

Thanks. I was told on another board that is was invasive but they live in Ga. so thought I'd ask about this zone.

I just planted two Sweet Autumn this spring. My research showed they were invasive in much warmer/wetter climates as well, so I decided to give it a shot.

One plant has doubled in size (from a whopping 4" to an even whopping-er 8" or so) since I planted it a month ago. The other one is a little slower.

I don't personally grow it, but I have several friends that do and their plants are HUGE. In one case it completely covered the side of the garage and went over the roof somewhat.