The first clematis bloom of the season! They are such beautiful flowers but the entire plant can be toxic and yet medicinally they have been used for joint pain, varicose veins and gout (source web MD). The name is derived from the Greek meaning vine. There are over 270 species and they can live over 25 years. The trick with clematis is to cut them back after blooming although they will appear dead they bloom right up in spring.
