Sweet Autumn Clematis

I've been trying to pull myself out of a blogging slump ~ not altogether successfully, I might add ~ but you already know that if you're a regular visitor here.  How many days has there been nothing new?  With any luck, the posting lull will end soon.  I more or less "forced" myself to sit down and write something today ~ maybe that will help??   Meanwhile, if you want to see Halloween decorations, cards, etc., I'm all over that ~ just give me the word! 

Despite my apathetic blogging attitude, the garden is doing sensationally well.  I have a few photos as proof ~ the side gate arbor is now completely covered by a mixture of passion vine (sans flowers) and sweet autumn clematis:

Two other items of note in the above photo (besides the arbor):

The purple in the left foreground is Hardy Plumbago (ceratostigma plumbaginoides) ~ a very hardy, xeric ground cover that I can't say enough good things about...

The container to the left of the arbor is home to my glory bush (tibouchina) and self sown 'lime green' nicotiana (the glowing green bright spot).  You've heard me refer to the tibouchina in previous posts so I thought you'd appreciate me pointing it out.

Below, a small cluster of Sweet Autumn Clematis blooms:

I love the fragrance that gently perfumes the area around the arbor ~ it's certainly a pleasant greeting when I'm traipsing back and forth thru the gate ~ if you grow this one, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Cimicifuga simplex 'hillside black beauty' is blooming now too:

How can anyone not love these graceful, arching flowers and burgundy foliage??

Another unexpected surprise was finding a 'rubrum' lily (Lilium speciosum rubrum) in bloom:

I thought I'd lost all three bulbs, I hadn't seen them emerging this spring.  The bloom looks a little less than stellar, so maybe a move is in order to help this lone survivor out?

That's it for today.  I'll have more to share once I take the time to upload my photos (which I am still taking multitudes of).  Hopefully I can get around to see what's happening in your garden soon too. 

 

 

 

Comments

[Shady Gardener]

Hi Kathleen! Well-put-together! Your gardens, photos, etc. as always!! Don't worry about being in a "slump." You always come through with interesting posts and inspiring subjects. :-) How do you like Sweet Autumn clematis? I have a couple of friends that have it. My! Does it grow!

[Gail]

I hear you Kathleen, The continued heat has taken a toll on my energy and blogging. I want to lie on the couch and eat bon-bons with a cold compress on my head! Breakfast on your patio must be lovely with the scent of SAC wafting about~gail

[Kala]

The Autumn Clematis and Hillside Black Beauty images are just gorgeous Kathleen!

[RainGardener]

Kathleen I love your path, gate and arbor. And am exceptionally glad to hear about the Hardy Plumbago (ceratostigma plumbaginoides). I just bought one the other day and didn't have a clue about it. Didn't even know it was called Hardy Plumbago.
That Lily is so pretty as is your Hillside Black Beauty.
Speaking of buying that flower the other day - I bought about 20 plus and you'll probably laugh your head off as I'm telling you planting them in the muck around here is a real experience. Horrible downpours are making it impossible to take a step in the gardens without a foot of mud on each shoe/boot. Boy am I having fun!

[Tyra]

I say, your garden really does look beautiful and your photos excellent as always. I find it really hard to blog during the summer, but now...I'm back.
Love/ Tyra

[kerri]

I've been in a bit of a blogging slump too. Not enough energy left at night to make the effort.
What a pretty corner of your garden! Beautifully put together.
Great spot for the Sweet Autumn Clematis.
I'd love to try the cimicifuga. It's gorgeous!
Plumbago is another for my wish list. I've just recently discovered that it'll grow here. We've had a dry month too, but welcome rain fell yesterday and today. However, I'd like to be out there continuing my fall garden work! I had much the same experience as you with my Dahlias this year. Hardly any blooms at all on a couple and none on one large plant. Only 3 did OK.