The Indomitable Clematis

We have a clematis that lives in a black plastic bucket in our covered patio. It has been in that bucket for a good many years. It started with some spectacularly good home-made compost; but since then it has received little care other than a regular watering schedule.

In the fall we cut it back to six inches from the ground. In the spring it comes back to life with green shoots on reddening branches (as now, so early). In summer it will have filled one and one-half walls and windows of the patio, with abundant purple and blue flowers. By fall, it has wizzened to a golden crispness, and the cycle moves on.

It is a continuing joy each year, and I am glad to see it start once again.