“Are You Sure It’s In This Garden?”

Unfortunately I cannot remember which of my blogging friends wrote recently that she was very fond of clematises. Well, I am sure she knows who she is and will appreciate today’s post in her honour.

This morning I decide to make a pictorial clematis collection.

Where known, the titles of these plants may be found when accessing the galleries. The last image presents a real conundrum. I considered it politic to seek advice from the Head Gardener for confirmation of my identifications. Jackie did not recognise this beauty, and I couldn’t remember where I had taken it. So off we went to seek it out. We couldn’t find it. “Are you sure it’s in this garden?”, asked she who we were both convinced knew every one of her babies. No doubt it will turn up some time.

This evening we dined on chicken thighs in sweet chilli sauce; savoury rice; and tender green beans, with which Jackie drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Shiraz.

65 comments

  1. The clematises (clematii?) are stunning……. It is hard to imagine there is anything in your garden that Jackie doesn’t know of. But a possible solution may be found if you ask Geoff. He is bound to come up with a plausible explanation for the unknown beauty………

  2. I think I might have been your clematis-loving blogger, Derrick. I remember leaving a comment about our native clematises, and how different they are from yours. This is a gorgeous collection, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

      1. It makes perfect sense that more than one person could have commented on the clematis in the past. They provide beauty enough for us all — as the comments on this collection show.

  3. I am impressed by the naming of plants. It is a skill that I have never developed and the gardener is inclined to get tetchy if I keep pestering her. Lovely flowers.

  4. Good decision, Derrick, because they are beautiful. And whatever the head gardener decides on a name or where it is, she’s right. They’re always right, Derrick, and I’m still learning that, painfully sometimes. I hope you enjoyed ‘the Fourth of July! (I know, sarcasm, but you have a good sense of humor)

    1. Thanks very much, Steve. I once saw a TV film where many Americans were interviewed about the meaning of Independence Day. Many didn’t know. Now, that, I enjoyed 🙂

      1. Sadly, Derrick, people are not learning their history, or learning a version to suit their own value system. But a lot are just not learning it, at all, especially young peeps. But those shows are funny when the guy with the approaches unsuspecting peeps and asks basic knowledge questions. We all can enjoy that. Have a great day!

  5. I don’t want to get into an argument with ‘shoreacres’ but I do remember telling you that the clematis is one of my favourites. But why did you assume it was a ‘she’> Anyway, you really do have a magnificent collection, a collection that I am jealous of now that I live in a unit with concrete for a garden.

    1. I though I could remember who she was, Paol, but wasn’t sure. Your comment reminds me of a group of Social Workers many years ago. We all had to put something personal in the middle of the circle and then guess to whom each belonged. No-one imagined that the book of flowers belonged to the big man. Thanks very much.

  6. The clematis are beautiful! I have a purple one. It has been moved several times over the last 15 years, and is not happy with me at the moment, but I do hope to get it into a permanent container this year.

  7. Gorgeous photos Derrick. I love the clematis too. They are so diverse in colour and style, and there is one for every season. ?

    1. They don’t – although these were all taken yesterday. Others, including one winter flowering one, are already over. Thanks very much, Diane

  8. What a magnificent display! I think you might have made a few more ‘converts’ to clematis lovers after this post, after Paol and Linda, of course! 🙂

    Do either of you recognise the arch the ‘lost’ climatis are on? That may give a clue to the name?

    1. All will be revealed this evening. The colours had been distorted by the back-lighting which had shifted when we went looking. Thanks very much, Bob

  9. I don’t know the name of most flowers, but these are certainly beautiful. That is funny about your plant without a name from an unknown location. Last night one of our friends demonstrated his phone app–you take a picture of a plant, and it tells you what it is. He discovered after he took his second picture that it costs $20/year (first photo is free), so now he’s determined to get his money’s worth.

  10. It wasn’t me, since I don’t know a clematis from an aster. But maybe after looking at these gorgeous photos I’ll know one when I see it.

  11. Has the mystery been solved?
    Love the shape and colors of your clematises! They are like bursts of joy!
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS…I’ve been busy with good fun 🙂 family and friend gatherings…and then one of my health issues has been acting up… 🙁 so I’ve been in a lot of physical pain the past few days.

  12. Oh. This post is perfect. Thank you so much and I think I am lost in love. Polish Spirit is irresistible, although I have to echo Boomdee in that I can hardly believe all of these are in your garden. Jackie for certain can’t be held responsible if one baby’s name is forgotten. Derrick, your skilled photography makes this post even more magical and shows each flower at its best. I have always loved clematis (well, since my mother first introduced me to them), and I love this post. <3

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