Clematis

Clematis (KLEM-ah-tis)

This is the Martha Stewart preferred pronunciation...

or

Clematis (kli-MAT-is)

This would be the Ohio version...

No matter how you say it,

it's a show-stopping, dependable and hardy perennial.

Here is mine in the dead of winter.

 This is late winter after the snow melts away...

I always worry that it's dead.

If you ask me...it looks dead.

 Then all of a sudden, almost overnight, green starts popping

out on the brown, brittle vines.

The buds start to appear after the leaves.

And at almost the exact same time every year,

right around May 15th,

gorgeous pink petals emerge.

 Each flower has 8 pointed petals.

The furry little center stays even after the petals have fallen.

I have to say that of everything I have ever planted,

this climatis is my favorite.

Possibly because it actually blooms. 

(I have issues with things blooming for some reason...)

But also because it's so dependable.

No matter how hard the winter or how wet the spring,

buds and then blooms appear.

I will show you the front of my house after it's mulched.

My spring front porch becomes my summer front porch.
When I place big ferns in my planters
I know that summer is here to stay.
And after the winter we had, I have never been more ready.

What says "summer" to you?

Thanks for visiting!

Linking to:
Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming
Mosaic Monday at Little Red House
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Creative Bloggers Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime
Newbie Party at Debbie's
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Enough is Enough

OK...I have officially had enough.

Enough rain.

Enough cold.

Enough doom and gloom.

My back yard is a squishy mess.

My knock out roses are sitting there

just waiting to be planted.

My flats of annuals and herbs are hanging out with the knock out roses.

I bought 2 gorgeous hydrangeas that I'm going to try in pots.

Not one pot is planted.

The deck needs some help too.

Maybe some stain?

It's a little hard to stain in the rain...

But so you all don't think I'm a total stick-in-the-mud,

I'll leave you with something positive.

Everything is really green and lush.

(Even though my grass is going to be knee-high

before it can be mowed.)

And my lilies of the valley are blooming.

FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

Life is good (although a little wet) On Sutton Place.

Thanks for stopping by.

"Lavender Fields Forever"

"There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can."
— William Shakespeare

Great advice to live by...

I received these pictures this morning in an email. 

The only information included was that these fields are located in Fredericksburg, TX. 

I did one of my signature Google searches but couldn't come up with any thing else. 

I'd like to dedicate this post to all you lovely French shabby chic girls.

Enjoy!

When I retire I want to live here...

Thirsting for Spring

Hello...if you live anywhere east of the Mississippi I am sure you have had just about enough of winter.  I thought I would share a couple of books that I discovered in my quest for the perfect perennial garden.  Of course there is probably no such thing.  I am trying though.

The Well-Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is a wealth of knowledge.  She takes you from the very beginning (preparing your soil) to the end.



Her explanations and advice are understandable even if you are a new gardener.  The pictures of her own garden and also of other's are vibrant and clear.  This is a perfect time of year to start planning any changes or additions to your garden.

This next book I just got a few weeks ago.


Click here to go to the Lone Pine Publishing website and find the book for your specific state or region.  This book will possibly take your garden to the next level.  Since it is specific to your region the advice and hints should be helpful in solving any problems you may have.  There are also books on Gardening by the Month.





I think this one just may be my next purchase!

Click here for Tracy's book at Amazon.com.  Click here for Tracy's blog.

Have a great day...and by the way I've joined Debbiedoos Newbie party...you can find it here.
Or you can find her button on my sidebar.

My Garden in Winter

The past few weeks in the Midwest have been super cold and snowy.  At this time of year I have a hard time remembering how beautiful my garden is in spring and summer.  I thought I would share my garden and how it looks today.  Later, when it's new and alive again, I will share that too.