Clematis vine. Especially that of the purple Jackmanii variety. This photo was taken of Bossy’s mom’s front garden since Bossy doesn’t have any Clematis vines at the moment — but Bossy does remember a rule of thumb when considering where to plant it: they like wet feet and a dry head.
Bossy also remembers something about placing flat rocks at the base of their stem for stability and maybe to provide that extra shade down there.
In fact, the only thing Bossy doesn’t know about her crush the clematis, is how to pronounce it. Do you say Clem-eh-tis or Clem-ah-tis?
furiousball says
May 27, 2010 at 9:14 amthat’s pronounced flower.
MommyTime says
May 27, 2010 at 9:34 amYou say cluh-maa-tis.
I say po-tah-tao.
BossysMom says
May 27, 2010 at 10:00 ampot-tah-to, pot-ta-too, clem atis clem etis….
WebSavvyMom says
May 27, 2010 at 10:05 am–>I posted a picture of mine earlier this week on the blog. I’m just glad I could spell it because I don’t know how to pronounce it either. We cut ours back in the Fall too and it keeps getting bigger.
http://www.WebSavvyMom.com
corrie says
May 27, 2010 at 10:05 amYou say clem ah tis and I say tom ah toe…
Ris says
May 27, 2010 at 10:33 am“they like wet feet and a dry head” That’s what she said! No? Hmm, there’s a joke in there somewhere, I’m sure.
Lizzy's Mom says
May 27, 2010 at 10:37 amPronounce it either way. The plant doesn’t care.
BH says
May 27, 2010 at 10:55 amI like Clem-ahhh-tis.
BH
Wendy says
May 27, 2010 at 11:18 amDare I share that I sometimes get confused and call it chlamydia? Honest. Did it twice.
Carbzilla says
May 27, 2010 at 11:52 amCorrie’s right although I think the emphasis on the second syllable sounds less like a disease. Actually, either sound bad. Good thing it’s a gorgeous flower.
Birdbrain says
May 27, 2010 at 12:54 pmOh let’s call the whole thing off! We have the exact same one, which we’re trying to grow up our pergola – per ge la or per go la, you make the call.
Kathy from NJ says
May 27, 2010 at 1:02 pmCla matt iss
Anna says
May 27, 2010 at 1:03 pmclem ay tis, actually.
vuboq says
May 27, 2010 at 1:14 pmOMG! I was just looking at flowers like those the other day and thinking “those are so pretty. I wonder what they’re called?” And, BOSSY, like a mind-reader, posts it. YAY! Happy!
foolery says
May 27, 2010 at 2:15 pmI avoid pronouncing it. Just like anvil, vacation, anemone, and about 600 other words I’m told I pronounce wrong.
Rebecca at Toothwhale says
May 27, 2010 at 5:19 pmI like your Hipstamatic shot. I’ve been admiring the regal purple flowers on a neighbor’s Clematis (now I know what it’s called) when I walk around the block. Of course I was shameless about photographing it.
Doug says
May 27, 2010 at 8:36 pmI have a related question: Is it cli-TOR-is or CLIT-or-is? Gorgeous either way, just like the flower…
Victoria says
May 28, 2010 at 1:09 amClem at us.
Cactus Petunia says
May 28, 2010 at 2:38 amI say cle-MAT-is…and you should definitely plant one. They grow like crazy and bloom all summer, and they do like their feet in the shade and their heads in the sun.
Reeb says
May 28, 2010 at 12:34 pmI think Brits pronounce it one way, Southerners the other, and the rest of us do well simply to know what to call it.
Reminds me of when the Seinfeld crew was trying to remember a woman’s name that sounded like a female body part. Dolores.
gg says
May 28, 2010 at 12:50 pmReminds me of the name Lois. Those in the North pronounce it LO-is. Many in the South say L(oi)s (oi like oil). And then there’s the prounciation straight from St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana; those say Lerce.
Catch the kids says
May 29, 2010 at 5:32 amJust a gorgeous flower. Too hot for it in Brisbane Austraia though. No matter how shady it’s feet are.
David says
May 30, 2010 at 2:24 amDammit! I’m so late to this forking comment party that all the good “potato potahto” jokes are taken.
Phooey.
Frimmy says
May 30, 2010 at 8:09 pmI usually have several varieties growing and as long as I have at least one Jackmanii I’m happy. Now…is it Jack-mohn-ee or Jack-mann-ee?
Em says
June 1, 2010 at 12:35 pmI have a thing about Canada. So I say eh.
Ranger says
June 1, 2010 at 4:27 pmSay it one way – it’s a vine..say it the other way – it’s a STD.