Friday, August 31, 2018

Flowers on Friday


The clematis in this photo is originally from John's grandmother. She grew hundreds of lovely flowers in her garden, and when she passed away, we dug up as many as we could and shared them throughout the family. This one didn't bloom at my house for over seven years, until I finally moved it to a sunnier location and mulched the roots to keep them cool and protected. It's still not a prolific bloomer, but since we've estimated that it's most likely 70-80 years old, that is to be expected.


Last year I thought it might be time to plant another clematis, in preparation for the sad day when Mom-Mom's finally gave up. I bought one cheaply at a big box store, and since it was labeled jackmanii, I expected the blossoms to be purple. The first surprise was that it bloomed last fall, and the second surprise was that the tiny white fragrant flowers were those of a sweet autumn clematis. I was a bit disgruntled because I really wanted a second purple one, so I didn't pay a lot of attention to it last year.


This year it's impossible to ignore, and who can really be grumpy about such a profusion of flowers? Mom-Mom's has only had a very few sad blossoms this year, but it's still hanging in there while surrounded by hundreds of the sweet autumn clematis flowers.


There is still room along the trellis for one more clematis, so I think I'll try my luck with another one. I do want more purple blossoms (labeled correctly this time), but it turns out that some surprises can be unexpectedly beautiful.


15 comments:

  1. So pretty, Bonny! ... to look at and to smell! (of course I have to imagine the smell part ;-)

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  2. I need more flowers in my yard, they are cheerful but the master gardener (husband) doesn't have much time, unless he retires!!

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  3. Oh, that's lovely. I've never had much luck with clematis... or maybe it's patience! ;) Have a great weekend, Bonny!

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  4. Beautiful, Bonny! Wow! That white Autumn bloomer is just stunning!

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  5. How lovely to have a flower bush so old and still offering a wonderful aroma. I hope your new clematis provides the purple flowers. I have an azalea bush that blooms 2-3 times a year...it’s in bloom now! Enjoy your weekend!
    Cheers~

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  6. Beautiful! We had that purple one for years but it seems to have been killed during some renovation recently. Have a great weekend Bonny!

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  7. They are beautiful! Your white one really went crazy with the blooms this year.

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  8. It's absolutely gorgeous! Now we are living in the flat, I miss my garden xx

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    1. Thank you! I am very lucky to have plenty of room to grow flowers and vegetables.

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  9. I love sweet autumn clematis! They work so hard and look so lovely when most of the rest of the garden is winding down (or long gone!). I often plant two clematis plants (different types) together -- like in the same hole in the ground(!). I love the way they wind around each other and intermingle their blooms. XO
    (I also love that you have plants from John's grandmother!)

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  10. Always teaching me something, Bonny. I have never seen a clematis like this, and I have never grown a clematis that was fragrant. It's lovely to have flowers from people that you love in your garden. I had a number of them, but they did not survive my last move. It may have been more about going from the mountains to the hot, flatter South, but I miss them.

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  11. I too have not seen a clematis like the white one. It is so pretty with the lavender flowers. My Mom loved clematis but didn't have very good luck getting them to grow. Finally she succeeded with a dark purple one. I wish I had a start from it but that was before I graduated from college or even had an idea of a home of my own.

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  12. I've been thinking a clematis might just be the plant for my patio garden and between you and Kym I'm enamored of the autumn clematis and wonder if it could be the ticket. You duo is so sweet and lovely together.

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  13. Our clematis were glorious in the spring. The summer heat SHUT THEM DOWN. I know they will arise again as the cooler days approach. They did last year. Love family repots and replants

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    1. I'm lucky that John's grandmother was such a prolific gardener and that I had a place to plant some of her flowers. Here's hoping the weather cools down for all of us and our plants!

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