a happy accident

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Atropurpurium' with NOID Clematis

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Atropurpurium’ with NOID Clematis

I’ve become a foster parent to many plants that have lost their tags or have passed the point where they are attractive enough to attract buyers. One such is this Clematis. I had no idea what to expect when I planted it at the base of the Pittospermum acquired from Loree at the spring bloggers’ plant swap. Imagine my delight when it crept through the branches of the small tree and produced a bloom that could hardly be a better color to contrast with the elegant dark foliage.

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It began unfolding its vivid, pale lavender petals to reveal a purple center…

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..growing ever paler with each passing day, while the tight knot of stamens opened into a fluffy pom pom with dark tips and insects nibbled notches around the edges. What a happy surprise was the entire process. Eventually, that bit of Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ that you can see in the first photo will form a tight ground cover with yet another color echo.

18 thoughts on “a happy accident

  1. Very nice! Given a nominal success with one Clematis, I’m tempted to plant another to grow through shrubs, although the plant’s water needs remain a concern.

  2. Happy accidents are the best. This is an especially nice one. The pale amethyst clematis really glows against the dark foliage of the Pittosporum.

  3. I have that Pittosporum, it survived or half of it survived all those terrible winters we had. I’ve been sniping at it for years to get it back to a symmetrical shade. Maybe it needs a Clematis pal ?

  4. There’s a bamboo stake propping up the Pitt and a smaller stake that came with the Clem to guide it to its destination. Thanks for visiting…it’s nice to see you here.

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