Yesterday I showed pictures of Clematis vines and noticed there were some nice big buds on one of them. I quite surprised to find about 5 flowers wide open today, even after a very cold night that was down in the upper 30's.
This Clematis hadn't bloomed for me because I had pruned it at the wrong time. Knowing it was a type 2 that bloomed on old wood I left it alone last year.
Isn't it pretty? Definitely worth waiting for.
But, the real surprise wasn't just that it bloomed. It was that I don't think it's supposed to look like this. This was marked as 'Piilu' which should be pink with a dark purplish bar. It should also be blooming as a double on the old wood. I still love the flower, just really surprised at what I got versus what I expected. If anyone has any ideas of what this might really be I'd love to know.**Update the surprise has been figured out. Clare and Eileen both thought it looked like 'Miss Bateman'. I thought I had planted a 'Miss Bateman' in the backyard, maybe that Clematis will be 'Piilu'. It should be blooming soon. Guess I surprised myself. Thanks!**
I guess the reason people suggest buying things in bloom is so these things don't happen. Either way I still love my surprise in a surprise!
I get so many surprises in my garden , because when I plant my perennials...I cannot remember what they are ( or were ), until they actually bloom the following year ! Lots of surprises ! Thanks of the post, Gina
ReplyDeleteYay..how wonderful to receieve such a beautiful surprise..yay! Love when that happens! Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteKiki~
Very nice! I love the center button color! No idea on the variety but it's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't quite look like Henryi or Miss Bateman, but they are both type 2 and white. It is that red center. I will have to look up some past photos and will let you know. I can't believe you are still getting that cold.
ReplyDeleteEileen
I just wonder if plants undergoing series of genetic engineering, combining colours and types... would they one day surprise us, by giving out flowers of their original ancestor... ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteWow! It certainly was worth waiting for wasn't it? I love the delicate green stripe that runs down each petal :-)
ReplyDeleteI bet you were that kid that always sneaked a peek at the Christmas presents and knew what you were getting ahead of time.No wait, that was me. LOL! Wouldn't it be nice to find gold, pearls or diamonds in the garden while digging holes.:-)
ReplyDeleteThat is the prettiest clematis Catherine. That center with the white petals is so beautiful. It was worth waiting on for certain.
What a beautiful surprise Catherine! I've had a rummage around, and I think your Clematis might be Clematis "Miss Bateman".
ReplyDeletehttp://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Clematis_%C3%97standishii
Here's an alternate photo, you can really see the green striping on the petals:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/84744892@N00/433329444
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThat is one beautiful clematis! I never prune any of mine if I can help it.
Clare and Eileen - You might have just solved my mystery! Maybe I surprised myself with this one. I did plant a Miss Bateman here, but I thought it was in my backyard. The vine that I think is Miss Bateman is about to bloom, maybe it's Piilu! Thank you both!!
ReplyDeleteThat's it... Time to AVOID and put that hook down and get outside with my camera. I really need to take some update garden shot. Believe it or not, I'm actually out there most of the day. Isn't it a treat when the Clematis bloom. These are stunners.
ReplyDeleteBloom On,
Kate
I've bought many mislabeled plants in the past as well. I know it's best to buy a plant in flower, but I live in the country and don't get to a nursery often, so when I see a plant I need ("want"), I go ahead and buy it even without blooms. I do think the surprise is wonderful! However, once I bought several red oleanders to make a row, and one turned out to be white. That was a bit irritating. It's still there, sticking out like a sore thumb.
ReplyDeleteThat was a pleasant surprise, truly! Miss Bateman looks gorgeous. Guess she still needs to open up completely...
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a beautiful clematis! Looks like a mega flower. How big are they?
ReplyDeleteMix up or not, that is one fabulous clematis!
ReplyDeleteThose are some beautiful blooms Catherine. I too love garden surprises!
ReplyDeleteI like it when plants prove us wrong. I just sit back and watch sometimes and know that I have no control. They are beautiful blooms.
ReplyDeleteThose blooms are amazing! Makes me want a clematis blooming in my garden even more.--See my post tomorrow because I bought one Sunday!
ReplyDeleteStunning blooms, whatever they may be. Lucky You!!
ReplyDeleteMy clematis are just beginning to think of breaking bud. What a lovely surprise though, and such helpful bloggers out there to help you narrow down just what you have.
ReplyDeleteI just posted on surprises, too...more of the dreadful variety, I'm afraid.
Christine in Alaska
What a nice surprise! I have been seeing so many beautiful Clematis on these garden posts that I am thinking about planting one. They just seem so "advanced" somehow!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sure that this qualifies as one of those benign surprises - not a shock, just pleasant to find.
ReplyDeleteThis is our first year with a deer fence, so we're constantly being surprised by the things that are coming to bloom for the first time.
ooh, I love a garden surprise. Your clematis is gorgeous ~ I'm jealous you have them blooming already! You took such amazing photos too ~ I feel like I can touch the petals. Glad someone could help you i.d. it.
ReplyDeleteI think my first clematis to bloom is either going to be 'multi-blue' or 'Josephine.'
Lovely clematis, i had a surprise with a clematis yesterday,one i thought had died a couple of years ago had entwined itself into a raspberry bush (i moved the soft fruit a few weeks ago and clematis wasnt there)Also two climbing roses i newly planted this year but left indoors a bit too long,looked completely dead,wood brown and dead,but hey presto, and there are new shoots coming up from the base (and not suckers)One of the good things about planting roses and clematis deeper than you bought them! Best wishes Betty xx
ReplyDeleteI bought several clematis vines off of the distressed rack last summer w/o tags...I'm waiting my surprise. I have a Ms. Bateman tag and will post that for you when the sun comes up...
ReplyDeleteThat IS a wonderful surprise! Hope your other one is Piilu. I usually try to buy flowers that are blooming because of my color scheme but now that I've strayed and have more colors the last few years I'm not as picky. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhatever's its name, it's beautiful.
ReplyDelete~~Linda...
What a lovely clematis I wondered if it could be Miss Bateman it is not like any of my 50 but I googled and this was an interesting link because you could enter the description and find a choice of clematis.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clempiclist.cfm?base=31
Ooh it's very pretty! That is a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteThose kind of surprises are good ones. It is beautiful. Hope the other one is what you wanted.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - isn't your pond beneath some trees. I am considering a pond and it would be in the wide open space that was tilled originally for a veggie garden and there are some limbs over part of the area.
Hi Catherine. Whatever it turns out to be, it is beautiful! It looks like it has a huge bloom. I've gotten several plants that were mislabeled. I guess it happens pretty often.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I've been really disappointed in a mislabeled plant was when I bought a red climbing rose and it turned out to be white. Since the garage where I planted it was white, it was a disaster:)
Marnie
My Josephine Clematis is blooming right now too. Usually it blooms in June down here in Portland. Crazy weather we're having this year.
ReplyDeleteHey Catherine! I just had to pop back over here and tell you how much I bet you're going to love the licorice plant! I use them all the time in containers because they're such good "spillers." Can't wait to see how you use it!
ReplyDeleteA most lovely surprise! I don't have any blooming yet. But I just planted it a month or so ago. Don't know if it will bloom for me this year. Sure is growing fast though!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Hi Catherine~~ Yum! It might not be what you expected but it's a dazzler, in my opinion. At first glance I was sure it was Clematis sieboldii.
ReplyDeleteIf you're like me, when you planted these beauties you thought, I'll remember where I planted them. :)
I had 'Alionushka' bloom light blue for me last year. Not exactly what I wanted which would classify it as a not so pleasant surprise.
BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't prune.
Love,
Sharon
Hi Catherine, This is a beautiful bloom. I'm glad you might have figured out the surprise. It always amazes me the way some folks draw diagrams of their "planned" gardens! None of mine are ever planned - they always surprise me! Hope you and your family are doing well. I'd like to wish you and your Mom a Happy Mother's Day. I did away with my old blog and have a new one where I feauture a photo a day. It's http://yellanmildred.blogspot.com (yellan is Nalley backwards!) Hope you'll visit when you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit Catherine. I wanted to mention that I have read that mock orange blooms can be poisonous to pets.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the Piilu or whatever comes up. Lovely shot,though so it was a good surprise.
ReplyDeletehttp://beyondmygarden.blogspot.com/
Your blog is beautiful, with so many lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe Clematis is very beautiful, really a nice surprise!
Have a nice day!
//Margot
Hi Catherine
ReplyDeletePleasant suprise indeed!
What a perfect bloom.
you sure did get and surprise and I hope that the pink was is in the other garden as I love that clematis.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it lovely the way the camera shows the pale green lines going through the middle of the petals - its a sweet little flower and worth the wait.
I agree your clematis looks like Miss Bateman, I have this in my garden, but the green stripes don't always show up well if it's in full sun. Lovely pics.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty blooms and i have not seen these big blooms of clematis. Sadly we cannot grow it here because of very hot summers. Still waiting for thompson and morgan to breed for a heat tolerant specied of clematis.
ReplyDeleteOh, I adore clematis and your photo is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWhatever that is, it is but lovely! Maybe the breeder thought it is one of the majority colors, but sometimes the recessive genes which are very minor comes out perfectly beautiful too, and fortunately you got it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice surprise all the way around! Happy spring~
ReplyDeletefantasticas fotos las flores me encantan muy bueno tu blog un saludo desde sevilla España
ReplyDeleteWith this lovely surprise, I don't mind. The garden is always full of surprises. That's why I never label my plants :)
ReplyDeleteAren't you lucky! Stunning photos!
ReplyDeleteAren't you lucky! Love the photos!
ReplyDelete