Since I was a little on the whiny side last week, I thought I'd post today about how AWESOME our weather was this weekend. It was truly perfect spring weather...warm enough that you didn't need a jacket, cool enough that you didn't run for shade.
This morning as I walked around, coffee in hand, I was struck by the amazing beauty and bounty of our neighbors' Clematis. I honestly don't know which variety it is, it's evergreen and flowers for a few weeks early in the spring. It's one of those plants that's a bore for 11 months of the year, but for the 1 month is good, it's AMAZING. A bonus is that since the Oak treeks across the street aren't yet leafed out, the morning sun filters across them each morning, making a fascinating and transient spectacle.
Another bonus is the flowers are lightly scented, just enough so that if the breeze is just right, you get a whiff of heady perfume, light and airy, perfect for spring.
Hi Scott,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms and amazing photos!
Just as I was thinking to myself 'I'll buy that one' you go and tell me you don't know which it is!!! Eeeeeeekkkkk.
Oh well, I'll just have to look at your photos instead :)
It's been beautiful here - into the 60'sF here for the past couple of days and due to reach around 70 tomorrow and Wednesday... Too hot at times to garden but, I miss the best of it anyway and no doubt by the weekend it'll have cooled a lot.
Hahahaha....well, luckily, it looks like quite a few people knew what it was! Clematis armandii...probably 'Snowdrift' :-) Let's hope for a pleasant weekend so we can get out in the garden again!
DeleteThe Clematis is so abundant and beautiful. They are at the garden centers here now, but I always hesitate because of the other 11 months.
ReplyDeleteBoots is a great garden cat, posing just right.
Agreed...I'm super-happy that I get to enjoy this one without sacrificing any of my own garden space ;-)
DeleteYour pictures are lovely as always! I think the clematis might be Armandii "Snowdrift".
ReplyDeleteThanks...and I think you're right, I probably should have tried a little harder to figure it out...but I knew someone would know what it was!
DeleteYou whiny?? noooo..... :-) Love the dappled light and the nice Clematis.
ReplyDeleteHehe! Me too...there is something so wonderful about that early morning light, isn't there :-)
DeleteWasn't this weekend just a GIFT!? I think I go a little crazy when I've been deprived of sun for too long, but I was just in heaven with the dry warm days we just had, and did too much. I agree with Julie that your neighbor's clematis is probably armandii, but I couldn't hazard a guess on the cultivar. It seems to be a very good spring for them this year, probably because we didn't have any long hard freezes. I'm cheering us on for more dry periods!
ReplyDeleteOMG...it was kind of amazing, right! I'm always glad I don't suffer from SAD, but even I was getting a bit tired of all the rain! I think you're right, this one has never looked this good before...it's radiant this year!
DeleteI'll third the Clematis being an armandii. I haven't seen any blooming around here yet. They do have a good smell but they get so huge I haven't got room for one yet. It has been really pretty here too, we ended up with our fourth day of sun today.
ReplyDeleteI think it's unanimous, then! If this one is any indicator, yes, they get enormous...it's covering about 50' worth of chain link fence and grows up and over anything that remains stationary for more than a few minutes ;-)
DeleteI returned to my Armandii "snowdrift" blooming like it never has before...gorgeous. I think Jane is right and this is an especially good year for them. Speaking of being whiny I'm trying to not feel cheated that I missed out on a fine gardening weekend since I was off playing in S.F....still, there is so much I could have gotten done!
ReplyDeleteI totally thought of you...how unfair you miss out on such great weather here! Then again, I'm sure your trip to SF more than made up for it ;-)
DeletePretty plant. Like you though, what about the other boring months? :) Plant another type with it that blooms another type.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
You are SO right, Cher! I'm actually contemplating planting something on our side of the fence, to twine through and bloom during summer...although I'll be challenged to find anything to survive against this beast of a vine!
DeleteScott, Beautiful. I will also vote for armandii. I wish I had one here. When I finish moving some things about, it is on my list.
ReplyDeleteYael
I hope you find one, Yael...they seem to be sold in most garden centers...and are pretty vigorous, from what I've seen...so you shouldn't have to wait long for such a show!
DeleteA truly gorgeous sight! I think most perennials fall into the "boring for 11 months" category, thankfully many of them have a worthwhile show! ---This Clematis really earns its keep!
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahahaha...so true, many do, don't they! It definitely does...and even though it's not terribly exciting when it isn't flowering, it provides a nice evergreen screen.
DeleteThat's a great looking display and I can imagine the delicate scent that is wafting from them. Our Clematis armandii is in bud so I'm waiting for it to open its blooms soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's so exciting when it just ERUPTS into bloom, isn't it! I do wish the scent was a little stronger...although it makes it all the more special when I DO catch a whiff of it, I guess :-)
DeleteI love clematis armandii, I love the scent of its flowers. Shame with our winters it could suddenly die one day or another, so I didn't buy it again :(
ReplyDeleteNice snaps BTW
I don't blame you..they've looked pretty ratty at the end of our last 2 winters (with quite a bit of die-back). Luckily, we had such a mild winter this year that they look fabulous!
DeleteGlad you had the great weather! What a relief after the snow!
ReplyDeleteOMG...totally!
DeleteAh, perfect days. I love those few days of the year that seem just magical. That clematis does look amazing - even the cat agrees!
ReplyDeleteI know, right! It's so nice to just stop and enjoy it for a few minutes...I was certainly loathe to leave for worth that day, I promise you that!
DeleteScott, you captured the spirit of our pretty morning, beautifully! Love that the neighbor cat was your walking buddy :) It's very sweet. Cheers, Jenni
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...isn't he the sweetest...he just loves tagging along :-)
DeleteGreat photos, tranquil post (coffee & a walk around the garden - sounds like a bit of Nirvana). (BTW - really excellent blog page design; background colors/textures, formatting - very sharp.)
ReplyDeleteIt really was one of those weekends that made me sublimely happy :-) Thanks for the compliment...glad you like the design :-)
DeleteI don't think you were being shiny, but who wouldn't want to whine about snow in March?? The JC Raulston Arboretum used to have a beautiful Armand Clematis. The flowers had a wonderful vanilla fragrance.
ReplyDeleteThe warmer the day the stronger the fragrance.
Beautiful lighting and bokeh in your photos! Boots makes a great model too. :)
Sweet shots Scott, and indeed a perfect spring morning. Seven years of planting and naturalizing daffodils around the farm has paid off and now the lawn is festooned with golden posies of various hue and size. Yep, let's hear it for spring. My favorite daff is Ice Follies, at least for this year. ;-)
ReplyDelete