With the exception of two recent additions, I have unfortunately been delinquent in posting about clematis for several months–blooming months at that! My camera, however, was still clicking away. Below are a few of the beautiful clematis I came upon, in my own garden as well as others, during April and May of last year.

C. ‘Joe Zary’ blooming in full sun in April. If it were in more shade, the color would be stronger.

The delightful and delectable C. ‘Asao’. Such lovely shades of pink and sometimes semi-double. This one is always one of the first three large-flowered clematis to bloom in my garden.

Early blossoms of C. Josephine ‘Evijohill’. Always a heart stopper!

Clematis ‘Sugar Sweet Blue’ wafting its fragrance on my deck, backed by a stunning Chilean Fire Tree (Embothrium).

C. ‘The First Lady’, one of only a few clematis actually hybridized in the US. I don’t know which First Lady was meant to be honored with the name, but I think of my personal favorite First Lady whenever I look at it.

C. ‘Silver Moon’ looking ethereal in the shade.

C. ‘Ken Donson’ strutting his stuff.

The redder than red C. ‘Rebecca’!

A visit to C. ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ on a garden tour.

Oh, be still, my heart! C. ‘Fond Memories’ while on a garden tour, gloriously blooming before my own even started. Definitely one of my favorites!

Still touring gardens–C. ‘Nelly Moser’ or one of her imitators.

Another C. ‘Nelly Moser’ look alike spotted while garden touring. Could be C. ‘Bees Jubilee’.

Back home to find C. ‘Tartu’ blooming away. Love the two-tone ruffly look.

Last, but definitely not least, the time-honored classic, C. ‘Mrs. Cholmondeley’ (pronounced Chumly)