Clematis blooming has begun in earnest at my house. My Clematis alpinas and macropetalas are lighting up the garden with their blooms! I really should plant more of them — what a happy boost they are in the spring. The first to open was Clematis Blue Dancer–again! It was the first to bloom last year, too.
Clematis Alpinas and Macropetalas (Atragene group)
Clematis Blue Dancer, First to Bloom!
Clematis Markham’s Pink in bud.
Here’s Clematis Cecile, first in bud, then newly open, and finally fully open.
Clematis Cecile in Bud
Cecile Just Opening
Cecile Fully Open
Next up is Clematis Jacqueline du Pre draped over a daphne.
C. Jacqueline du Pre with Daphne
Here are two photos of Clematis Pauline. I’m not sure why the second photo is so oddly intense, but I thought I’d show you anyway. The blooms do present with a luminous color.
Clematis Pauline
Clematis Pauline showing off her luminosity (maybe a little too much)
Clematis Joe Zary is a new one for me — I got it last summer from Silver Star Nursery, so it’s quite young still.
Clematis Joe Zary
Pruning Group 2 Clematis Already Showing Flower Buds!
Below are photos of the buds of several of my May/June Large-Flowered bloomers. Ah, the anticipation! Last year Will Baron and Fair Rosamond were neck-and-neck to be the first in this group to bloom. We’ll see how this year goes. Speaking of Will Baron, you may have read my earlier post about how I was going to be brave and cut back three of the old woody vines on this clematis to renew it. Hrmph–time went by too fast with so many things to do and Will Baron developed lots of buds before I had a chance to prune it. With all those buds, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. My new plan is to cut out the three old vines AFTER it blooms. We’ll see how I do.
Clematis First Lady in bud
Clematis Will Baron in bud — I chickened out on cutting back the old canes.
Clematis Vyvyan Pennell
Clematis Fair Rosamond
How are the clematis in your garden doing?
Clematis in Seattle 