Has anyone grown Grandiflora in zone 6? I am wondering how hardy the plant really is. If it dies back to the ground, you get no flowers that year since it blooms on old wood. I am wondering if it's worth the risk.

I have a Clematis montana 'Odorata' growing at a protected corner of my foundation, that has gotten quite large over several years and blooms every spring. Being that I am in zone 5, I count that as maybe a zone 6 type placement. Although, we have had gentler (maybe z7) winters the last couple years. Still, it did well enough to establish even before that happened.

Just this year I have planted other Clematis montanas around the foundation, and at the base of low-to-the-ground established evergreen trees, in hopes that they will have enough winter protection to happily grow and flower for me every year.