Sweet Autumn Clematis Vine All Over Town

When we looked for vines to grow on our small garden patio fence several years ago, we found the tiny white flowering clematis. We had something similar to that in the Midwest. It covered a fence in front of the house and looked like snow when it bloomed in the fall months. I actually thought it was something very unique and different. When we drive along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, there are so many of these vines along the road that they look like weeds.We cut the thing back almost to the ground every year because otherwise it would take over the yard. So this morning on our walk we decided to take the neighborhood route rather than head to the national mall. And there they were - tiny white flowering vines all over the place. Some were in much better shape than others. Some were neat and orderly while others were left to their own devices. I can't say I noticed any fragrance as we passed by them. It does make a nice splash when everything else is starting to fade. I'm glad we have another kind of vine on the opposite side of our fence. It has tiny yellow flowers, blooms in the spring, and the vine has leaves that stay on through winter. So if the idea was to have something in bloom all year round, we may have done just that with the help of the perennials and annuals. 

The White. Flower Vine

In spring we have a beautiful yellow flower vine that explodes and cascades on the fence that surrounds the east side of our little patio. In the fall the white flowering clematis vine takes over on the south side. We have cut this thing back several times during the summer - even using the weed whacker. I used to think this winding vine was exceptional until I saw it growing like weeds all over town and along the parkways. It does remind me of another similar vine we had in Milwaukee. It covered a small white fence in the front yard but also had a wonderful fragrance too. It's hard to believe the summer is coming to an end. But at least there is something to show for it. Even on our tiny patio garden fence.