Clematis in Seattle

New Young Bud on Clematis Guernsey Cream

Cherry blossoms greeted my flower-hungry eyes the other day as I was driving home!

Encouraged, I made a foray into the garden this afternoon to take a serious look around at the clematis.  I had been out there a few times already to perform early garden clean-up chores — like removing brown slime, cutting back the old leaves on hellebores,  and winter pruning small trees and shrubs.  But I hadn’t really checked on the clematis yet.

So far this winter, Seattle has been spared the brutal cold and heavy snows that so much of the US has experienced.  When I took a close look at some of the clematis today, I was thrilled to see that our mild weather had emboldened many of the spring-bloomers (especially Pruning Group 2) to bud up already — seemingly much earlier than usual.  Woo hoo!  Time for me to get pruning!  My clems need me.

Clematis Jacqueline du Pre (I think — there are several clematis in this area)

Clematis Proteus

Then there are the forlorn-looking clematis that I decided to grow on in pots another year.  Had to — I was wiped out after planting 24 clematis last fall!  I think I’ve lost track of where I’ve planted them.  Durn.  I have to be sure to get each and every one of them on the new drip system.  I hope I can locate them all and get them straightened out.  Oh, lordy, I’ve already ordered three more!

There’s no hope for me.

Unplanted Clematis

My poor little seedlings need my TLC, too.

Seedlings needing attention.