Sunday 5 July 2009

Evergreen Clematis

I have an evergreen Clematis which is quite rampant. It has spiky dark green leaves and flowers in the middle of winter. The flowers look as if they are made of paper and are very fragile and white. The inside of the petals are streaked with purple. I have been growing this plant for the last five years at least and have only ever seen the flowers in full bloom. Probably because it is winter and cold and I’m not wandering around the garden in the same way as I do in the summer. However today I saw a bud, a full flower and a rather wind battered flower, that, having been caught on a stem was showing it’s inside colouring quite blatantly. DSCF0014

It would be quite easy to miss this bud it is so tiny and fairly nondescript!DSCF0015 DSCF0018

The petals truly are like paper, very thin and fragile but with the gorgeous inner colouring. The second picture doesn’t really do it justice having been mutilated in the wind and caught on the stem, but you can see what I mean! And how strange that it should flower now. Well out of season.

I have no idea what this plant is called. I have several clematis and I don’t think I know the names of any of them. One is like apple blossom; one has large pink flowers and the third one has lacy frilly leaves but has never flowered! I rather think people have given them to me and that is why they are nameless! But they all ramble and climb well! Too well!

7 comments:

  1. I have a Hagley Hybrid Clematis which is flowering at the moment. At the end of last year the plant looked dead, so I cut it right down to ground level and didn't really expect anything to happen this year, but it's grown back stronger than ever and is flowering better than it ever has done. Your little Clematis is lovely, it look very delicate.

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  2. Lovely Clematis Val, I've been tempted to get that one too as a cross between a fritillery and Hellebore

    it's clematis var. purpurascens 'Freckles' :)

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  3. It must give you great pleasure Val seeing this in bloom in the depths of winter. I have an early spring flowering clematis alpina which is in the throes of a mini second flush of flowers. I'm not complaining :)

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  4. Thanks to Liz I now know what this is! Well Anna you think it would but the flower is so ethereal that you really have to search for it, especially if it snows! Jo it is amazing isn't it how quickly Clematis re-establish themselves. Val

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  5. Val... you are not the only one who doesnt know name and type of plants. Kakdah will say things like "that plant over there" or "this tiny plant here"... We understand each other and get on with gardening without much fuss and complaint.... haha... Cheers, ~ bangchik

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  6. What a beautiful clematis. I'm glad someone could help you identify it. I have been on a roll adding clematis this year. I need to get a grip on myself! We've had rain and more rain too. I'm like you, I'm ready for it to dry out a little. I hope you get enough for your tart tho.

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  7. A lovely flower even if so rare hope it now flowers better for you now it has learnt how to please.

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