Yesterday I spotted the delicate blooms of the wild Clematis cascading over a pot of Coleus. I call this one wild because it sprouted in my mother's yard and she gave it to me.
Clematis are vigorous climbers and can grow up to twenty feet, so a sturdy support such as an arbor or trellis is necessary. I let this vine wander wherever it likes. It's also spawned another white clematis which climbs the lattice work of my deck.
Pruning can be a little tricky. Summer and fall blooming clematis bloom on new growth so they can be pruned in late winter. I cut this one back to about two feet every winter and it blooms every year. A spring blooming clematis, though, blooms on old growth, so that one should be pruned after flowering.
The Clematis flowers always remind me that summer is winding down and autumn is approaching. Now I can look forward to fall foliage, toad lily blooms, and cool crisp days.
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