At last!

We have never been able to grow a strong healthy Clematis.

Oh, we've tried! Different types in various gardens over the last 15 years or so. Even though our neighbours all had stunning blooms covering walls and trailing through bushes ours either shriveled up and died within weeks of planting or managed to only grow to a pathetic height then grudgingly put out skinny buds which never opened.

3 years ago we decided to try again and planted one in a sunny spot on a South facing wall. It grew slowly and steadily throughout the summer, gradually working it's way over the bit of old fence wire which played the part of a trellis. Until... the day that Steven cut through the main stem whilst he was hoeing around the base.

We didn't think it would come back after that, given our track record, but it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to it. The dugged wee plant slept throughout the winter looking a very sorry sight but come the springtime last year it sent out good strong shoots and covered the fence wire in tendrils and leaves. No flowers though, not even a bud.

This year it has looked great from day one. Wonderful dark purplish green leaves and covered in buds. But as if to tease us it has taken weeks for these buds to open. They have very, very slowly grown fatter and fatter and pinker and pinker almost looking as if they would burst all at once with a pop. No, not to be. The flowers have opened with an unbelievable slowness.

Today there were 3 or 4 fully open and a good smatter of others which if we get another sunny day tomorrow will hopefully show their full smiles. After that I hope the whole plant will be covered in them.

But, you know what... after 15 years I can wait a few more days.