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Springing into the Season
Sat Mar 20 2004

Hubby and I went out to dinner last night to celebrate our anniversary a day late. Originally we planned to hit a movie afterwards, but the one we wanted to see was sold out. Darn, that means we might have to go tonight! Two date nights in a row, I don’t know that I can comprehend that.

I’m almost afraid to say this, but so far the first day of spring is beautiful. Sunny and not too cool, it is perfect for planting a couple things. I also want to talk Hubby into going out and buying a trellis or the materials to build one today. I would like to get the clematis I want for the front planted in the near future.

I’ve got a fence that is just begging for a Jackmanii, and the Jackmanii sitting out in the yard ready to be planted there. I’m also hoping to find a few more clematis to hide a couple ugly tree trunks in my front yard.

I love this time of year. The only thing that would make it better would be to win the lottery so I could do what I REALLY want to do with all my plantings!

6 Comments
  • From:
    Cutypops (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Mar 20 2004
    we had high winds and heavy rain showers! and its going to get cold next week!
  • From:
    TraumaMama (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Mar 20 2004
    Yesterday was warmish, as is today, but it has froze the last two nights!
    I still have to be patient and wait to plant. I even saw snow in one of the local clearcuts yesterday.
  • From:
    Monstergue (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 21 2004
    Don't you just love Jackmanii? It is the true gold standard of clematis. Before the move, I had one that had been there for 20 years (my mom planted it) and it was just a tremendous eye catcher. Nothing quite like those huge showy blooms.

    I always had to be careful though to tie it up as it would get too heavy for itself and fall over even having a trellis to climb.

    A really nice complement to it is Pope John II. Its blooms are roughly the size of the Jackmanii (which is to say LARGE). PJII is a pure white and they look terrific alternated if you have an area large enough.

    I am assuming that you know that clematis prefer a shady root and I have found that lambs ear works really well for that. It makes a nice contrast with its silvery foliage.

    I look forward to seeing some pics!!

  • From:
    Pinkspiritlady (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 21 2004
    I agree this is my favorite time of year too.
    I have a clemetes that is pink and white. They really like to have their roots in shade, but the vine can be in full sun. I put extra mulch around the bottom to help keep it cooler. I have mine growing up over the arbor I made from daughter's old bed canopy. If it grows up a tree trunk will it choke the tree?
  • From:
    Waterspriteflying (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Mar 21 2004
    Beautiful clematis! I've planted three so far, because they're a favorite of RC's, but there used to be a walnut tree in one of our yards, and still is one in another, and apparently there's something they release into the soil that kills clematis. They haven't survived. I actually tried to grow one up the stump of the dead one before I found out they're Allergic to walnuts!

    I'll try again, farther from the old tree than I had before. Maybe the front yard this time? ack.

    Hugs,
    Ani
  • From:
    Salamander (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Mar 22 2004
    Yeah, right. Hugh Jackmanii. Don't go thinking you snuck that one past me.