Hey - Lookie here!
In LATE May 2010 I had a single bloom.
Early May 2012 netted lots of blooms and more buds to open.
We also have April Showers and June Bugs in May. Funny year!
To clematis growers, I did something different with my clematis over the winter. My plant always seems to bloom much later than those of my neighbors - who have older, more established plants and DON'T have a neighboring black walnut tree - which I suspect hinders its growth.
So I decided to see what would happen if I didn't trim back the woody portion of the vine for the winter. It looked very scraggly and unattractive all winter. But this Spring, the result: Lots of early buds. I actually had to cover the plant on many nights when the temps got down to freezing. But it has paid off! Hooray!
Now if it would only stop raining so we can mow the lawn! :)
