Days of Clems and Mads~

I ♥ Clematis.. never was able to grow them.. before a group of very talented gardeners helped myself and  so many other people out~
Marie..at the time..Gardenbug:)  on Gardenweb..and then  Gardenbuddies.. along with a slew of other avid gardeners and clematis connaisseurs..gave us tips and tricks  .
I learned about the importance of planting deeply and well..of groups 1 2 and 3 and their pruning times..I gave cleamtis as gifts and received clematis as gifts..
A dear client built an obelisk for himself his clematis got so big:)I was so happy my gift to them thrived!
Derek had one at this home w/ Marlene..:)
My neighbor has grown fond of them..and believe me it makes for conversation with walkers by:)
Some I lose for one yr..and they return the next..some I have lost forever..as Blue Bird:(
Some do remarkably well and others not as well.
Huldine has always been spectacular..as in ginormous..this yr ..she is not even here?
Betty Corning is full of little bells and a workhorse..hundreds and hunfreds of bells..the white fargesoides..blooms at the same time..and I have both on the front arbor on either side..well we can't get through the arbor..still..they thrill me:)
I have a frame that is actually a vase..w/ many little burettes..every yr when I pick clematis I give them turns to be the spotlight by the kitchen sink~
Handy little thing..
Some are quite fancy..some big..some small..some climb..some trail..Arabella trails beautifully with roses and hostas..My blueberry bush has a clematis through it as well as Thérèse Bugnet~
There is so much info on the net..:)

This is a great source of info..

Brian Collingwood was one of the experts that also taught me so much..
At one point he was kind enough to name a Clematis with my name..I kept the certificate:) Unfortunately I have not found her here.I am not being boastful..it was simply one of the nicest things to happen:)
Monique~
Brian named a Clematis after a wonderful woman I had the chance to meet..and her husband..I still tear up~ Marlene..
 ♥

So I encourage you to plant a Clematis...or 2 or 3..or more.. Dig deep..  when you come home w/ the plant in the pot.. bury the full height of pot plus 1/2:) To me that works..I am in Zone 5..They love alfalfa pellets too..I must renew!Mine don't look fabricated..and disintegrate immediately..keep them well watered..mulch..Group 3's..cut very short as soon as you can walk in  the melting snow of late March..
Group 3's are the easiest for me..Go have a look and see~
Planting 2 or more together can be a wonderful sighting in your garden.

The list goes on and on..you can see pink even in Garden Queen starting to bloom~

Food wise:)

My son-in-law came to give my husband a huge hand in building a deck to accomodate our outdoor table..It was SO appreciated..I made madeleines in the morning for him..And I thought if he likes them I will post and share:)

He had 5..that's a thumbs up for me..
I had the curd..I made it previously..and the batter you mix up and refrigerate overnight.If you have not made maddies before..her technique is no fail for the bump:)
I loved the idea of encasing a juicy raspberry with a dollop of lemon curd..
You can find the delicious recipe right here..
I use a silicone mold on a small stand..It was purchased yrs ago at a Christmas Tree Shop and cost $2.99 I think..
It works perfectly.You do  not always need top of the line things to get perfect little results~

Have a great weekend~It starts tomorrow:)

I know there is a lot of info here..:)
I hope it may be of interest?