Brandy, mine was planted in a pot up against a brick wall of my house since I originally thought it was only marginally hardy in my zone based on my reading on the plant. I have since learned through my own experience and that of others that it is much hardier. Don't know if you saw it but someone just recently posted about growing one in zone 4 I believe and having it overwinter for them. Mine suffers terribly because it is in a pot. I think it would do much better in the ground so the temperature swings wouldn't be so great. In midsummer, mine looks really ratty with much browning out of the leaves. It is supposed to bloom in the winter but more typically in England where the winters are milder. Mine typically flowers twice a season--once in the spring and then again in late fall. If I had the room, I would plant another one in the ground to see how much better it might do. One thing to consider is that the flowers are pendulous so it needs to be grown up something versus flat on the ground to truly appreciate the flowers.

Colors are very subjective and "best" is always a matter of opinion but I'd consider 'Lasurstern' more of a lavender-blue rather than a true purple. But I guess it depends on the effect you are looking for :-) It would look great growing amidst a bright yellow rose (btw, did you mean 'Graham Thomas'?.....I've never heard of 'David Graham'). I prefer some that have a darker, richer color - 'Etoile Violette', 'Gipsy Queen', 'Romantica' or 'Negritjanka'. And there is the always popular 'Jackmanii' or 'Jackmanii Superba' - not quite as intense but very reliable and very floriferous. In my previous garden, I had 'Etoile Violette' growing through my 'Graham Thomas' rose and it was a stunning combination. I've attached a link to a previous discussion on this forum about purple clems.....maybe that will provide additional choices. And if you are planting both the rose and the clematis at the same time, you can plant them quite close together - in the same large, enriched planting hole if you like. Otherwise, you will need to allow sufficient distance so as not to disturb the rose's root system. Here is a link that might be useful: purple clematis

Nelly Moser is famous for browning out even here in Massachusetts, so I would think twice about this one. There are some lovely Evergreen types that like warmer weather, like clematis Armandii and also Cartmanii "Joe" seen here: http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=445. These are both beautiful clematis and I have only named a few of the most popular evergreen types. Another different but non-evergreen clematis, which is extremely beautiful and floriferous is the 'Florida Sieboldii' which you can see here: http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=17 It is said that this plant likes warmer temperatures, although I am able to get mine to produce a few flowers, even here in Massachusetts ! I have seen some magnificent plants. There are many more clematis to consider, names which I will leave up to those in warmer zones who have had success there. I thought I'd give you just a few names to start your quest. Here's my own young Florida Sieboldii in flower a few years ago: Good Luck ! Suzy

I have a Warsaw Nike that I didn't get pruned this spring and it is now going on its 4th week blooming for all it's worth. There are still probably 10 buds that haven't even opened. The blooms really seem to keep their color and last a very long time. I buried one of the long vines coming from the parent plant about two weeks ago hoping the vine will take root, I'll not distrub it and hope for the best. My Ms. Bateman and Asao are done and my Ramona and Sprinkles are in full bloom but the blooms do fade quick on those two, but both are huge plants. Jackmanii and Polish Spirit are starting to set their buds, but will not flower until much later.