C is for Cookie (and Clematis)

I do believe I have the winter blues ... I wake up and think, I want to keep sleeping and then I get up and all I can think is I want to go back to sleep! BUT, of course, I am also thinking - constantly - about the garden AND that I am due for a post!

My next steps (2 and 3) for my spring plans involve a new "herbway" and rethinking the edge of my property line along the potager ... these posts coming soon.

I have also been thinking that I would like to give my garden an official name and I have decided to call it Mohala. Mohala is Hawaiian and for those of you who might not know, I was married in Maui on Secret Cove and Hawaii is very special to me and I do hope for many returns. Anyway, from what I understand, Mohala means "flowers in blossom" or "petals unfolding, shining forth." Very appropriate for a garden name, I think! I hope to make a sign to mark the name of my garden: "you are invited to step into Mohala" or something thereof. I have been saving all my favorite broken dishes forever (because gardeners are clutzy right?) to make a mosaic and I think this is what they will - finally - be used for. So, "M" is for Mohala and "C" is for clematis.

I inherited one clematis on this property that looked pretty sad growing in what was now the butterfly garden - its roots were cemented in the clay soil and baking quite nicely. If I know anything about clematis - which isn't very much - it is "cool roots, sunny flowers" or some similar derivative. I moved it to grow along the wall of the front porch and covered its roots with river stone. I am not sure of the variety and don't think it will get tall enough to work its way up to the lattice work above, but it seems to like its new spot and bloomed for me this past spring ...

I would certainly appreciate any helpful hints on what variety of clematis this might be. I venture to guess 'Kilian Donahue' ?

I really do love clematis and haven't had the fortune to own very many which is why I ordered FOUR yesterday from Bluestone Perennials - special discount code - yes! I am risking a couple at Z5 especially where I plan to plant them but "no risk, no reward" a good friend of mine has always claimed. So, I ordered a Sweet Autumn clematis (which has been on my list for a long time), a variety called Montana Mayleen, one called Claire de Lune (my niece's name is Claire), and an heirloom variety called Triternata Rubromarginata (say that even one time fast)! The following photos, in the order mentioned, are directly from Bluestone Perennials web site.

I plan to plant the larger Sweet Autumn and Mayleen to grow up the lattice work of the front porch - they grow larger. Claire de Lune will be planted in my very new "woodland" garden section - more shady. And the tongue twister will have its own homemade rustic trellis along the northside of the shop/garage wall. I would like to collect more over time. Part of creating a habitat is to plant at all levels - ground, perennials/shrubs, vines, tree canopy. Vines are very important and even if they are not native or offering a food source, they are still connecting the ground to the canopy. Most of these are said to attract butterflies. Now I just have to, patiently, wait for spring delivery.

NOW it's time for that cookie!