When does Clematis hirsutissima bloom?

It flowers in May and June, producing nodding, bell shaped purple blooms held on upright stems.

What pollinators visit Clematis hirsutissima?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors, drawn to the downward facing, urn-shaped flowers.

How much light and water does Clematis hirsutissima need?

It grows best in part sun with medium, well-drained moisture, and it tolerates somewhat brighter or shadier spots as long as the soil is not kept wet.

Does Clematis hirsutissima climb like other clematis species?

It behaves more like a sprawling, low vine than a true climber, spreading along the ground rather than twining up structures.

Is Hairy Clematis toxic to dogs?

Yes. Hairy Clematis is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Hairy Clematis toxic to cats?

Yes. Hairy Clematis is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Hairy Clematis HOA-friendly?

Hairy Clematis takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hairy Clematis

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Clematis hirsutissima

Last reviewed: August 2026

Clematis hirsutissima is a low-growing vine with nodding, urn-shaped purple flowers that open in May and June, doing well in part sun with medium moisture on prairies and foothill slopes.

Hairy Clematis (Clematis hirsutissima) — Photo: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, United States / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Hairy Clematis is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–48" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CO, ID, MT and 8 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American Deserts Northwestern Forested Mountains Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Great Plains

Hairy clematis is a compact native vine that forms bushy clumps rather than climbing aggressively. It produces purple bell-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by attractive feathery seed heads.

Growing Hairy Clematis

Grow Hairy Clematis in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 48 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy Clematis takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Vine growth habit appears unstructured
Can look scraggly without support
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare stems

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles during its May-June bloom period. The seed heads provide food for birds in late summer and fall.

Common questions

When does Clematis hirsutissima bloom?: It flowers in May and June, producing nodding, bell shaped purple blooms held on upright stems.
What pollinators visit Clematis hirsutissima?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors, drawn to the downward facing, urn-shaped flowers.
How much light and water does Clematis hirsutissima need?: It grows best in part sun with medium, well-drained moisture, and it tolerates somewhat brighter or shadier spots as long as the soil is not kept wet.
Does Clematis hirsutissima climb like other clematis species?: It behaves more like a sprawling, low vine than a true climber, spreading along the ground rather than twining up structures.
Is Hairy Clematis toxic to dogs?: Yes. Hairy Clematis is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Hairy Clematis toxic to cats?: Yes. Hairy Clematis is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Hairy Clematis HOA-friendly?: Hairy Clematis takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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