This week, Aunt Jeanette writes:

Last week I shared a picture of my clematis and promised “the rest of the story” about the unusual trellis.

A very good friend (who also happens to be my sister-in-law) has exceptionally green thumbs – yep, both of them. Her lawn, flower garden, vegetable garden, and any outside plants are always gorgeous. She can tell you the name of just about every perennial there is, plus where to plant it, and how to care for it.

I should have asked her advice about my clematis before I planted it. It was one of those last minute – half dead, reduced price for quick sale – purchases. The little plastic trellis that was stuck in the pot was about 8 inches high. So, being a sucker for plants, I bought it, took it home, and planted it in what I thought was a good spot – small trellis and all.

I watered it, kept whispering that it was looking great, and watched it start coming back to life. By the end of the summer it actually looked pretty good. The following spring, before I knew it, it started putting on new growth at an amazing rate. I bought a taller trellis and put it behind the first one, not wanting to disturb the vines.

Another year passed and the same thing happened so I put an even taller trellis behind the other two. Are you getting the picture? Yes, I should have asked! Another year – same thing – only this time I bought a very large, tall trellis.

This spring, Dan and I were standing on the deck admiring the first flowers when he said, “Do you think we need to do something with that plant? It is so top heavy it looks like it may fall over.” I told him I didn’t think I wanted to put another trellis behind the plant. He went and found this discarded ladder, put it behind the clematis, and tied the vines up. Oh, thank you, Dan!

Next time I will ask the expert. And, just so you know, there is no room for another trellis!

The picture is of Vicki’s garden. See what I mean?

Until we walk again …