Traveller's Joy - Traveller's Joy(Clematis vitalba) A woody vine that often appears to have shedding bark. The newer growth is green and supple. Climbing vine that can often strangle trees, but looks and smells breathtaking. Small one-inch flowers are in the shape of stars and smell sweet and slightly of anise. Another name for this vine is 'Old Man's Beard', because the seed bundle looks very fluffy and feathery -- in fact they do look like tiny downey feathers. This is undoubtedly a motility thing - when the wind catches the feather, it can be blown and carried far from the mother plant. Grows best in partial sunlight but will grow in full sun, likes to climb fences, trees, and bushes. Difficult to eradicate once it has been established. Looks best as an adornment on a metal fence, where it will cover the sides and billow outward at the top, bearing a crown or hedge of flowers that delight the eyes and senses. Often called Traveller's Joy because it tends to line roads, hedges, and paths.