“Autumn Already?”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
The sweet autumn clematis has started blooming, and this got me to thinking about plant names. This one in particular because it certainly doesn’t bloom in autumn around here. Today’s high was 92 and that doesn’t sound like autumn or even the beginning of autumn, does it? Anyway, the name doesn’t matter when it comes to such a lovely vine.
It has just started blooming, and it has a ton of buds, so very soon this area will be covered in white flowers that have an unbeatable fragrance. The flowers will be followed by seed heads. Because so many seeds are produced, this vine can be invasive. Around here, I just pull up the ones I do not want, but you do see these Japanese natives growing and blooming in the woods around here. This clematis can grow up to thirty feet, but since it blooms on new wood, cutting it almost back to the ground in February keeps mine in check.
In the above photo you can see all the tiny buds just about ready to start opening. Maybe this will be in full bloom for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day. Then, I’ll certainly have some great photos for you to see.
Janet said,
August 9, 2009 at 6:48 pm
You know my Sweet Autumn Clematis didn’t reseed or rather the seeds didn’t germinate for about 6 or 7 years — and now!!!! wow. I am pulling up a lot of little ones.
Jan said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:43 am
Janet, I guess your vine had to get to a certain size before that happened. I give a lot of my seedlings away because so many people who see this vine want one.
Randy said,
August 10, 2009 at 6:36 am
Jan, ours is about to hit full blooms some time this week. You know, yesterday I noticed the leaves from the neighbors oak were falling like crazy. We might have any early autumn, wouldn’t surprise me with all this weird weather we’ve had.
Tatyana said,
August 10, 2009 at 9:13 am
Very delicate, elegant, charming flowers! Don’t say “Autumn” too loud Jan! Maybe, it’ll slow down a bit…
Ewa in the Garden said,
August 15, 2009 at 1:47 am
No, no, no, please, no autumn yet!