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 Yellow Flower Vine Never Disappoints

Our little patio garden had nothing in it when we first moved here. In Milwaukee we had an acre of land and several vines that included roses in the front, hydrangeas in the back, and clematis on the side fence. Aside from those perennials, we had gardens and pots and window boxes. Planting season was a highlight, but it started in May. So we put in a yellow flower vine here and every year since it comes to life in a spectacular way this time of year. About three weeks ago the buds were becoming more noticeable. With the warmer weather they just seemed to explode overnight. Since our little patio is in the courtyard space of our building, everyone else gets to see it too. There is something pleasant and serene about flowering plants. I just wish it would stay warm enough outside so we could sit in the space and enjoy it. It feels more like Wisconsin here this year than any time before this. Fortunately for us, the plants know where they live.