I've shown this clematis before. I think it's worth showing, again. I paid about a buck for it and now I have 20+ plants.
My clematis was so beautiful this spring. It was covered from top to bottom in huge purple blossoms. I received so many comments from friends and family. I just love it!
It's been a hard year for all my plants. Things have looked pretty grim all season. I lost so many roses to spores that thrive in the damp. This may be the first year I didn't try something new.
I've posted pictures of the Little Duckling clematis a couple of times before. This one is a little different and a little special.
Ever since I've had this flower, I wondered about the meaning of its name, but never bothered to find out. Today, I checked. I was pleasantly surprised.
For years, my sister had a clematis, maybe two very similar and intertwined, growing in a fence corner. For several weeks each spring, it turned into a very large, eye catching beauty.
My first clematis to bloom this year is 'Elsa Spath'. I wish I had added something to last year's picture for size reference, because this year's blooms are twice as large.
Funny how we assume things with little or no good reason. Such is the case with this clematis. Given it's Oriental sounding name, I assumed the vine originated in China or was named for a real or fictitious lady from China. Not so.
I bought this last year at over half off. Today is the first time to see it bloom. It is not as red as the label shows. As red is not my favorite color, I'm sure I like this better. I'm hoping it will make a nice display from a distance when the vine is covered with blooms.
The fuchsia and white flower is clematis Little Duckling. The purple flower is clematis Jackmanii. I have rooted many Little Ducklings. I am in the process of rooting more Jackmanii.
