I love clematis. How could I not? Just look at those blossoms!
Their only downside is that, like all perennials, the bloom time is relatively short.
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The clematis that climbs our light post is simply spectacular when flowering.
Heavy rains over the past several weeks, however, brought an even earlier end to its short bloom time. These photos were taken about two weeks ago, when the vine was still covered with flowers.
Not to worry though. The clematis climbing the arbor over the garden gate has just started blooming. Not as spectacularly as in years past, thanks to me accidentally cutting the vine growing up the side of the arbor that you see in the photo above. A winding trumpet vine was starting to warp the lattice, and since it was too shady a spot for the vine to even blossom, I decided to cut it back to remove the thick, destructive trunk. In the process, however, I accidentally cut back the clematis growing up that side as well!
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Thankfully, the clematis I'd planted on the left side of the arbor escaped my cutting shears...
... and it's putting on a spectacular show right now. I'm hoping that next year the right side will grow back!
I love the combination of the lavender clematis and the red-orange honeysuckle intertwining. These are the vines that are planted on the left side of the swing set, where the ladder to the monkey bars used to be...
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I planted the same combination of lavender clematis and red-orange honeysuckle on the right side of the swing set as well.
Hopefully the rain will stay away for a while and let these beauties finish their natural bloom time!
Wishing you all a beautiful week.
I'm joining Claudia, Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing Saturday,
Tracie, Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Garden Party
and Cindy, My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday
Donna
