Sweet Autumn Clematis
Imagine, if you will, opening your front door and walking into air heavily laden with the scent of sweet honey. That's what it's like at my house these days. Sweet Autumn Clematis, which is twined around the three columns that support the small section of the roof that shelters my front entryway, is in full bloom. The blossoms are small, about 1.5 to 2 inches across, but full of fragrance, and there are thousands of them on the three vines.
Although I didn't capture any bees in these photos, I do have to be on the lookout for them when I bury my nose into a clump of blossoms.
I don't recall when I first discovered this late-summer blooming vine, but several years ago I started with one vine, which I planted on a trellis outside one of my bedroom windows. Autumn Clematis is evidently a good self-seeder, as the three vines now gracing my front walk were all 'volunteers' which I discovered in various parts of the yard. The oldest plant (the one pictured) is on the northwest corner of the little porch, and gets the most sunshine, making it, so far, the heaviest bloomer. I've also treated the volunteer plants as pass-along plants, and several of my friends are, I hope, currently enjoying the blooms on their own plants.
I always look forward to having these sweet blooms outside my window and door. Next spring, I'm going to be on the lookout for some more 'volunteers.' Methinks that some portions of my chain link fence in my back yard would be improved by planting some vines at the base.
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I hope all my blog buddies are well, and escaped any damage from Hurricane Irene. I've been saddened to see the destruction left in its wake.
Tomorrow is also a day.
12 comments:
Lovely! Wish I was close enough to pick up one of the volunteers! :D :D :D Trying to stay cool here ... still.....
Those Autum Clematis are beautiful. As you probably saw I did have a few Naked Ladies.
Am going to be gone for about 3 weeks so I'll pos sporadically.
Gorgeous photos, Pat!
Simply gorgeous - I've never had a Clematis but have always loved seeing them. I didn't realize how good they smell. :) blessings, marlene
I think I have been referring to this as honeysuckle. I thought clematis had larger, rounder petals and grew on mailboxes.
I wish it were possible to post fragrance as well as pictures. But the pictures are heavenly, so I can imagine how wonderful they smell. This is a beautiful volunteer.
Didn't know Clematis were fragrant. Wonder if they would work on my fence as my honey suckle turned out to be the scentless variety.
Wonderful shot.
Arkansas Patti I don't know if any of the large-bloom clematis which (usually) flower in Spring are fragrant (guess I could check - they might be a good addition to my flowering plants). Sweet Autumn Clematis is the only one I know for sure to have such a sweet perfume.
Oh, so very pretty...I can just imagine the smell!
So lovely!
I have oodles of purple on my fence.
And I haven't sent a proper greeting to you and ages!
Much love and many Blessings from me & Darla
xox
Is Clematis similar in smell to forsythia? I have a feeling it might be, but I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure. I do love forsythia, though, so... is it?
Suldog Nope! This clematis has, I think, a unique fragrance. I've not smelled anything quite like it in the floral family. Think of its fragrance as if you were sniffing a newly opened jar of the finest honey.
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