Spring. Six weeks early.....

 Six weeks early. The Evergreen Clematis, in the greenhouse,  is blooming. Usually it blooms in April. The East Coast of Canada is deep in snow. But here on on the west coast we are suddenly finding ourselves head over heels into spring. It's coming fast and furious, whether we are ready or not.

 Clematis is from the Ranunculaceae  ( buttercup) family.  A greek word that means " vine". No kidding. SO much vine, that it hasn't stopped growing, I think, all winter. Well, winter for us.

 There are about 250 species. Some are evergreen. Like this one. As you can see, Smokey was very impressed with the vines growing all over the greenhouse. He stood guard while I rifled within the innards, hauling out things like the rusted out chair I love so much. One leg missing. It has character.

 Looks right at home again, tied to its tree. Cordelia was hiding behind the fence. She was not too impressed with the Garden Guys cutting, pruning, chopping, weeding.  But the results were great.The garden is ready. The dirt is loamy and warm during the day. Cool at night.

 Clematis are very tough. Kind of like stewing hens. Clematis can survive for over 25 years. I keep two evergreen ones in the  greenhouse. They are about 4 years old. It's said they are difficult to grow.....

  I don't really do anything to help then survive. Just water. Some fertilizer. Some pruning when they need it.

                                     And they grow pods every spring. Like aliens ready to pop.

                                         Pods that fail to impress Spencer.  He just stares.The cats from the hill are around more these days. These warmer Spring like days.

        At the same time, just outside the greenhouse, the bleeding heart is starting. Also 6 weeks early.

       And the sunsets are warming up. Cordelia, from the hill, sits on her fence and watches the sun going down. Or maybe it's Spencer and Smokey that she's watching.
                      The sky changes from  butter coloured clouds to orange zest. It feels wonderful.
        Like a sundae melting with hot fudge dripping down the sides of the glass.
"It is spring again. The earth is like  a child that knows poems by heart. "(Rainer Maria Rilke)