Sweet autumn clematis (Clematis paniculata) is considered invasive and aggressive by many gardeners. Its small, pure white flowers emerge in August and if left unchecked, the prolific fall blooming grower can “take over.”

But if properly maintained, the vine can be an asset to the garden at a time of year when pretty much everything else has stopped blooming. And the fragrance of its beautiful flowers is really appreciated by many.

The deciduous vine, hardy to zone 4, has small light green leaves when new growth emerges in spring.

As temperatures rise, it rapidly puts out rampant growth, reaching up to 30 feet or more, which makes it an ideal choice for covering fences and sheds. A twining vine, it loves any support it can latch on to, such as chain-link fence or existing shrubs.

Sometimes its white blossoms will last until the first frost.

We are told that “once the show’s over,” it’s time to get a grip on this aggressive guy. Prune it hard—some suggest to as little as 12 inches from the ground—so that you’ll stay ahead of its game come next spring!