Scented Signs of Spring

The last two weeks of glorious spring weather has been kind to the garden.

Despite the lack of rain the soil is still moist, and plants have been doing well.

A particular favourite during these past weeks is Clematis armandii. I grow it near the garage wall, over the entrance to the back garden, training it towards the kitchen door. In a warm evening the scent is irresistible.

In past winters, the cold weather damaged the top growth to such extent that I had to cut it almost to the ground, so there were very few flowers in spring. (Though a few appeared in August and September)

But this past winter, we only had one cold spell, which didn't do much damage, so tidying up was all that was needed. I even managed to get some shoots to the front of the garage.