I'd like to get a couple of clems, but I've been trying to find some information on the EXTREME BASICS of clems.. like, will they grow here, what kind of soil, how much sun/water, blah blah blah. If anyone can point me in the right direction (I did read the articles in the Learning Center), I'd appreciate it.

Toni, my absolute favorite beginners book for clematis is a small book put out by both the British and the American Horticultural Societies, published by DK Books. The title is Practical Guides: Clematis. It's currently out of print, but I have consistently found it available at public libraries. It's also sometimes listed in used form on Amazon.

In addition to the book, there is some OUTSTANDING information available free to all users and posted by the International Clematis Society. Here's a link to the main page: http://clematisinternational.c...

Look at the links to the left side of that page and choose your topic.

I will definitely be posting a care section here and also on my business site. At the moment, I am immersed in database creation. I've posted the warm weather clems in the Learning Center and should be posted cold weather info over there soon as well.

Thanks for being patient with me while I build the Cubit to be the best it can be!

Evey - Patience has nothing to do with it.. my ground here is still a frozen brick! I have a minimum of 6" of mulch in the front yard (completely mulched it in) and I walked around this morning checking out the roses (it's going to be nearly 60 today!!!). I didn't sink down one iota.. it was like I was walking on concrete. So, I don't think I'm going to be digging any time in the near future. Maybe in a couple of weeks to the end of the month, perhaps. We need a wet sloppy snowstorm!!

But thank you for the links! I'm wanting something in the blue family.. there's no true-blue rose, so I figure I'll get my blue fix from clems perhaps. Anyone grow a clem inside of a pine tree? I have a Wate's Gold Pine (green in summer, yellow in winter) and a Hillside Gold Pine (same, green in summer, gold in winter) and was wondering if they'd be OK for a clem or two?

Sure you can use a pine tree for support! I posted a picture of a clem growing through fir over in the Shrubs as Support thread.... and the textures are similar. Pirl and Venu both have clems growing in a shady aspect in a cooler region, so it should work fine for you as well.