1. If you can stand it and have some patience, repot your clematis in a next size pot for this year. Clematis need to establish really good root systems and it sometimes takes anywhere from 2-3 years. Growing it in a pot the first year encourages the roots to grow. 2. Clematis likes cool roots, so much it very well. 3. Fertilizer: I've used tomatoe fertilizer (most popular a few years ago), chicken manure (contains more phosphorous than steer manure, and feeds your soil), and the new thing is alfalfa fertilizer. 4. Know your clematis group - there are 3 groups, and you can check them out by googling "clematis groups". I checked and yours is a Group II - repeat bloomers; prune immediately after flowering to the next good node. 5. Support: I have planting mine against my chain link fence; by my deck to which I stapled some fencing for climbing; and by use of trellising. They climb by "twining" so you may have to give them a little help with "stray" stems. I saw some humongous pots of this clematis (with humongous flowers) at Horn's this week. I don't know how much they were - they probably wanted my first born child for them. But they really are gorgeous! Congratulations. It's easy to get hooked on them. I have a few - 'Nelly Moser', 'Dr. Ruppel', Jackmanii (a very good grower even in partial shade), 'Polish Spirit'. I used to have C. tangutica because I wanted a yellow flowering clemmie. It was just too rampant and I pulled it out. However, there are some cultivars of tangutica that aren't probably as rampant as the species. I love some of the "bell-shaped" flowering clems, like Rogoochi. And there are also some beautiful "shrub" clematis as well. The possibilities are endless if you fall in love with these guys. Susan

Okay- let's talk bedding. I have spent hours searching (online and in stores) and I keep coming back to the RH bedding. So I went back to my store today. They were out of about half of what I needed and wanted so I ordered it (w/ free shipping) and I should have it ALL by the end of the week. Here is what I decided on. 1 King Duvet Cover in the 18th Century Medallion (in link above.) Pacific, so it does have a hint of blue. 2 Matelasse King Euro Shams in Fog (also linked above) 2 Lumbar "accent pillows" in cashmere.. one for each sham. I brought home 2 colors- a gray and an icy blue and need to choose. 1 Matelasse coverlet to act as a blanket- will be between the duvet cover and sheets. ***bought in Eucalyptus which is an icy blue color. The salesman talked me into this and I an really second guessing this for 2 reasons. #1- $179 is a LOT of money for a blanket that might not been seen. I could find a blanket at HomeGoods for $39 that would be fine. #2- *if* I stick w/ it, should I exchange it for Fog (color) so it matches the shams?? I really like the pop of color, but let's say, in the summer time, I decide to let the coverlet show more... wouldn't I want it to match the shams? Or am I trying to be too matchy-matchy??? (a problem of mine.) Wdyt??? Solid choices? I do need to get a king, light weight duvet on order. Any recs? I will go ahead and link the Matelasse coverlet again... *if* I keep the coverlet, should I switch to Fog? wdyt? thanks! Here is a link that might be useful: RH Matelasse

More new arrivals Euphorbia gamkensis Euphorbia colliculina Euphorbia venefica Adenia glauca Pelargonium cotyledonis

Photo 1 has daffodils. When the foliage dies back you can remove it. Photo 2 is pachysandra, an evergreen groundcover that can be a bit boring, but is good to leave unless you have something else you want there. Photo 3 is a peony Photo 4 has Rumex, a tap-rooted weed on the right. Use a dandelion skewer to remove it. On the left looks like it might be the self-seeding biennial Lychnis coronaria. For future IDs, the Name that Plant forum might be a more appropriate place to ask. There are some real whizbang plant experts there.