“Earth laughs in flowers.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Clematis Blooms (possibly Asian virginsbower, a species of Clematis) – Bonnie set out two small Clematis vines along the same metal trellis this spring. Normally, you wouldn’t expect a bloom the first year, but they are blooming profusely, as you see in this and other photos. We didn’t know what color the blooms would be, so it was a pleasant surprise they differed.
This year for the first time since before starting full-time RV’ing in January of 2015, Bonnie has been able to do some “real” flower gardening. I enjoy seeing the results, but it isn’t something I want to actively participate in beyond infrequently helping with some heavier lifting and toating.
The beauty from Bonnie’s labor inspired a few quick photos.
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Clematis Bloom — The blooms have multiple layers which slowly open over a period of a couple of days.
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Clematis Blooms — A profusion of blooms from one of the vines.
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Aizoon stonecrop, a species of Phedimus — These individual blooms are extremely small, perhaps the size of a pencil eraser. I didn’t realize their intricate details until viewing this image on my computer screen. Aizoon stonecrop is a succulent species native to China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia, and is often cultivated as an ornamental species.
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China Rose, a species of Roses (Rosa) — Another study in macro blooms. This bloom is only about the size of the end of my thumb (excuse my backyard measurement system.) The china rose is a Southwest China native and, with a long blooming season has was chosen as the basis for many rose hybrids.
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Butterfly bush, also known as Summer lilac, is in the Figwort family. — a long blooming bush, butterflies do seem to like it, but our most frequent visitors have been friendly Bumble Bees. We’re happy to have them enjoy it.
I always liked these flowers (the clematis). Structurally very interesting! I think we tried to plant them at one time but they didn’t amount to much. We have limited areas for sun. I am pretty much the manual labor around here as well – but even if I say I am going to weed an area – I get the “side-eye” suspecting I will pull something I shouldn’t. :-) So I tread lightly. Great closeup on that bee. I imagine you must get hummingbirds also?
One side of our house gets full sun all day so all the plants and flowers above are those that like full sun, or at least seem to. No, I wouldn’t dare weed. There are a lot of hummingbirds around. Thanks, Mark.
Great work Bonnie! Earl would not have these nice images if you hadn’t put in the upfront effort. I’m not a gardener, flower or vegetable gardens. Not much into pulling weeds either as some plants we call weeds just aren’t weeds to me. I like your series of images and would have a difficult time choosing a favorite. My sister is a gardener and always has wonderful clematis flowers each year, but she talks to them. I don’t do much of that either.
Thanks, Monte! There’s nothing I’d rather do than dig in the soil and encourage something to be its best self. And, like your sister, I, too, talk to plants. I’ve never hesitated to remind anything that I find beautiful how beautiful it is–people, animals, trees, flowers and even the occasional weed.