“Third Year”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Third year must be the charm. They say that it is the third year that perennials are in the ground when they finally start growing well. It’s the old saying, “The first year they sleep; the second year they creep; the third year they leap.” Well, my clematis seems to be proof this old saying is true.
Three years ago, I planted Clematis crispa, and it did produce a few flowers that first summer. Last summer, it was better. But, this year is certainly a big improvement.
This year, even though we had a very cold winter that lasted into March, this clematis came back faster, bigger, and better. In the past, the flowers didn’t start showing up until June. Even though everything this year seems to be blooming at least two to four weeks later than normal (again, due to the late, cold weather), the delicate, blue, bell-shaped flowers have been showing up for over two weeks.
I had wanted this vine for several years before I finally found one at a local garden show. It has really been a nice addition to the garden, lending a delicate quality that was needed.
Always Growing 
Stone Art Blog said,
May 23, 2010 at 2:34 am
The third year is exciting indeed. I always try to explain this to clients as well, but people want instant results. Somebody needs to come up with a potion like the one used by the druid in the old Asterix & Obelix commics.
Jan said,
May 23, 2010 at 5:23 am
It is so hard to be patient when new plants are put in, and you have a vision of what everything is supposed to look like. I know I’d buy that potion in an instant.
Patsi said,
May 23, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Love that clematis…sooo different.
Pretty pale blue, looks almost like a columbine.
Scott said,
May 24, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Beautiful…love those lantern-style clematis.
Jeannie said,
May 24, 2010 at 6:25 pm
That is the cutest plant. After seeing so many lovely pictures of clematis on these garden blogs…I went and bought one. I was going to get two but ouch!! They were $8.99 for one plant. So we will see if it likes living in my garden first. But I love the one you have, I hope you update the post on it through out the summer.