Royal Old Friend

Every year this clematis breaks forth into bloom. It is amazing! It must be over 30 years old. It flows over the top part of the trellis, no matter how much I try to train it.

Often we take special photos by it.
Like this.
Or this.
Or just by itself.

This year is no exception. It is in fine form!!


Take a look at the very base of the clematis. See a little purple flower? It's a morning glory! Go figure. About 4" off the ground. I planted about half dozen from seed, with the idea that they will climb up the trellis and bloom later in the summer. Ah, well..


Dear Kate--Will you come have another photo op with our Royal Old Friend?? :D

Krazy Kontainer

By our front step on the right side we have - an American Cranberry Bush. Unremarkable but solid, fills the space, looks nice, leaves turn red in the fall.

On the left hand side we had - a spindly old but pretty in a fragile way, little pink tea rose. It wouldn't thrive so finally I just cut it back into the landscape rock. Grown by our previous owner, I'm sure this little tea rose is 20+ years old, as is the clematis in another flower bed. Hee-the rose did grow back too, see below.

This year I decided to try a container. Thinking a large barrel-like pot with some height would be good to sit on the landscape rock, as it's a large area. Note on the landscape rock, dull gray. Not exciting by any means and is in all the beds bordering the house, most of which have bushes. Can you say "roots sitting in hot coals?" Too much trouble to take it out though.

Back to the container. My husband picked up 2 green squarish containers, which to me were a little small for the space. So after consideration, I decided to make a tiered container by fitting one inside the other. Filled with annuals. They loved it! Take a look. (That potato vine is one plant)

Old Faithful

When we moved in almost 7 years ago, the garden was tired and not really touched at all, as the owner, a widow, lived in a nursing home at the time that she sold the house. One highlight was this beautiful rich purple clematis, that was growing up and tumbling over the side of a non-working gas lamp.

Once I got a new trellis, the clematis really thrived, and blesses us with bountiful blooms in June & July. This plant has to be 15-20 years old, yet is still healthy!

Hmmm...maybe I need a bigger trellis...