There is a plant that reigns over my Greeley garden this time of year and it is a clematis vine. More specifically, Sweet Autumn clematis vines (Clematis terniflora) which faithfully provide wonderful masses of fragrant creamy white blooms the first week of September. This plant absolutely lights up my tired late-summer garden with much needed beauty and fragrance when most everything else has stopped blooming.
The early and mid-summer blooming clematis vines with the larger blooms get serious adoration from gardeners. I do have them planted in my garden also but this clematis is my favorite. Reasons to love this vine include the attractive green leaves in summer, the stunning amount of beautiful blooms, the wonderful fragrance, and the fact that it is a fast growing vine.
You can plant it now but spring planting is optimal. Choose a spot where you will be able to see the mass of flowers and enjoy the fragrance in late summer. Although some sources suggest it will bloom well in part shade, Sweet Autumn blooms most prolifically for me when planted in full sun. This clematis likes a location where the roots can be kept cool in the shade of other shorter garden plants. Dig in some compost when planting, mulch, and then keep the soil moist but not water-logged. Sweet Autumn clematis may take a few years to become fully established and winter watering is advised.
The fast growth (15-20 feet per year) means it requires a strong trellis and/or support that it can twine on. Feature it in your perennial garden on a strong accent trellis, on an arbor, a pergola, or even along the top of a chain-link fence. Gorgeous! The flowers will turn into fuzzy seed heads that I think look beautiful in the winter landscape. Of note, Sweet Autumn is considered invasive in several Eastern states. It is not listed on the Colorado Noxious Weed list.
This should be an easy decision if you have the right spot and want a gorgeous large vine. Plant and enjoy!