Ipsden altar frontal: Clematis Jackmanii
Clematis montana is a real joy at this time of year, especially when spring has been so late – for those who have one – or two or three…who doesn’t rush out every morning to see how much flower cover has increased and hug themselves with delight at the result? Unalloyed pleasure, clematis is a stop the world, breathe out and be uplifted sort of plant.
Ipsden altar frontal: Clematis Jackmanii
We have 2 in the vicarage garden which we planted soon after we came here. They can get tangled and very knotty as they age but after 8 years ours are still just about ok in their bushiness in spite of none of the right sort of pruning which always sounds a bit too complicated for us, the most lowly of gardeners. Anyway I suspect it may be a good site for birds nests, so I have left it alone.
Ipsden vicarage gardenl: Clematis montana
I chose not to embroider a montana as I wanted a bit of striking colour, so I opted for a Victorian cultivar, Clematis jackmanii, which ranges from purple through all shades to cerise. My embroidered flower is on the cerise end of the spectrum.
Ipsden vicarage gardenl: another Clematis montana
8 Comments
Love both the real and the embroidered clematis – this altar frontal is going to be fabulous!
Thank you for saying this, Rachel, it’s lovely to know you like the embroidery – and the real plants too.
I think a trip to Ipsden will be in my future plans just to see the alter frontal. I have enjoyed every piece along the way as much as the biscuits.
By the way I am moving office in the summer so will be able to begin again with your biscuit recipes for a new set of colleagues.
How kind of you to say such encouraging things and great to hear you are enjoying the embroidery too.
Lucky future office workers – biscuits are certainly better shared than being kept to ourselves.
Your beautiful Clematis will be yet another cheerful addition to the altar frontal. I like the pink clematis you planted too… here the climate is just too hot for these gorgeous climbers. I am visiting Oxford next year and hopefully may be able to take a little side trip to visit the Church.
Hope all goes well with your plans for the future… I myself have rather sadly nearly finished Wolf Hall. It is rare for me to enjoy a book so much, of course I have bought the sequel too. The dvd was sublime and now I long to stroll around a Tudor house, smell the roses and gaze out of an upstairs window.
Very best as ever.
Isn’t it funny, I never thought of anywhere being too hot for clematis.
Perhaps if you visit London, we could meet for coffee or tea – somewhere centrally.
I love clematis, and have planted so many in my garden over the years that have failed to thrive, despite digging deep, covering the base with a slate to keep the roots cool etc etc. I noticed this morning that one I planted two years ago is looking rather healthy, and has lovely little shoots and some baby buds on it. It was a ‘hug yourself’ moment, I long to have it growing all along my garden railing. X
I, too have lost many clematis, which is why I reverted to planting some of the more bog standard, run of the mill plants and true to form they have got on with it and thrived. Best of luck with your fledgling, Penny.