The love/hate relationship with Clematis armandii is in the love phase right now. It’s at its prettiest as the buds are opening.
The way it drapes over the front deck cloaks our ordinary house in an aura of romance.
Loking out, the light catches the cascading blossoms.
Coming into the house, the clouds of blossoms engulf you in a subtle, sweet scent.
So what, you may be wondering, could possibly evoke the “hate” part of this relationship? Well, the detritus left behind once the show is over might be enough, but there’s also the fact that the vines get to looking pretty ratty from time to time and this heavenly show is not necessarily a predictably annual occurance. Never mind. As things stand, all is forgiven and Clematis armandii stands as the clear favorite in the garden right now.
Love it! I was just outside, snapping a photo of mine. I have the ‘Apple blossom’ version, and it’s draping over my garage. I’m almost a little sad when it opens – it is the buds that makes my heart go all aflutter. I envy your romantically adorned porch – I bet you can’t tear yourself away when it’s blooming!
Anna~I’m the same way about liking most things best in the bud stage. The aroma doesn’t get going until at least a few of these are fully open though.
I’ve seen several blooming around town and they’re almost enought to make me regret getting rid of mine. When she’s good she’s very very good…
Loree~…And when she is bad she is horrid. Did you see the one at Tamara’s?
I’ve managed to kill two of these…just not meant to be !
Linda~We’ve had one die back but it always came back from its roots. You have plenty of luscious stuff to compensate.
Looks gorgeous right now. Enjoy. (I have a love-hate relationship with some plants in my garden. They just win me over when they’re at the “lovely” stage and then, it’s too late when they’re at the thuggish stage later.) Susie
Susie~Ain’t it the truth?!
Beautiful plant, I’ve sold many at work but my garden is far too cold for it sadly.
Rona~There will always be plants that we cannot grow. Why does that seem to make us want them all the more?
I have a policy, because I garden in an exposed cold area, that plants get 3 chances, if they die each time that’s it, otherwise it gets too expenisve, but we do always want to grow the things that won’t!
Rona~That’s a good policy. I will often buy two or three of something in a small size and try it in different place. It’s surprising to me that as little as a few feet can be the difference between success and failure.
What a gorgeous vine! I love those white flowers. Also I wish more Clematis were fragrant.
Jason~White flowers are my favorites. Of course none of the other colors are far behind.
Your photos could sell this vine in a heartbeat but you’re right about the detritus. I’m dealing with something very similar (and annoying) with my Star Magnolia. Maybe today’s wind will speed up the process. 🙂
Grace~We gardeners just have to accept the fact that we won’t get something for nothing. I’m OK with that…most of the time.
Oh gosh, I totally agree with Grace. Your photos of this plant certainly show it at its best! They belong in a professional catalog or a magazine! Too bad it can be so messy. I feel that way about Cottonwood trees. We have several of them in our neighborhood, and when they let loose their “cotton” and seeds, the entire garden is a sticky mess. Yuck. But the Cottonwood also attracts and supports Mourning Cloak butterflies and Cedar Waxwings and other wildlife. So, I can’t hate it. Always a give and take, and a price to pay for partial perfection.
Beth~Give and take: that’s what it’s all about.
I don’t live with the plant but I’m liking it! I like how it’s so delicate and “wild” looking compared to so many clematis hybrids or cultivars. We have a wild clematis that grows a quarter mile from me, but talk about rangy and unkempt during the long dry season. For all its springtime grace it hasn’t found a home in my garden.
James~It makes a graceful curtain of leaves when not in bloom. Only once in a while does it show its scruffy side.