Post post

Some garden projects take days or weeks, or even years, to accomplish. But every now and then an idea comes to fruition while you wait. Or rather, Mark solves a garden problem while I watch and wait. Case in point: some kind of support for the 'Guernsey Cream' Clematis to climb. This is actually an old wood fence post with an acorn finial on top. We bought three of them and used them as abstract sculptures for a long time. But it seemed perfect for the clematis.

 

However, the climber was already up and growing fast when we came up with this idea. We needed a quick solution; no time or room to dig a big hole and pour a cement foundation. Instead Mark drilled inside the post and inserted a metal rod that was long enough to shove a couple of feet of it in the ground, leaving the bottom of the wood post just above the soil. A thirty minute project from start to finish.

 

We left the old apple prunings in place as the Clematis had already twined itself around them and anything else in sight. We discovered that this wood column will be perfect — next year. This year, it was already too late when we put it in place. The Clematis had set lots of fat buds but they were all down at ground level where it grew rapidly before it had anything to climb up. Luckily the flowers are so big and dramatic that you don't really need to bend down to see them.

 

And once the flowers have finished blooming, we'll figure out how to permanently support the post, so it can support the Clematis when it's in full growth mode. Alas, I'm guessing it will take more than thirty minutes to solve that problem — and do it without harming the Clematis roots.

Comments

[Erin]

I like the post a lot ... lots of character. And Guernsey Cream is currently my favorite clematis (and ironically my two have been without anything to climb up all spring too!)

[Lisa at Greenbow]

A tower of white clematis is always enjoyable.

[Altoon]

The post is a wonderful object, like an erect sentinel, watching over the garden.

[Les]

What a great idea, that will also prolong the life of the post. I found an old newell post while bike riding once, and the effort to get it home nearly caused an accident. It sat in the garden for years, but is now nearly unrecognizable.

[Jean]

That's a lovely and novel solution. I just love clematis.

[Jim/ArtofGardening.org]

Nice idea. I may have to keep an eye out for old newel posts. An old one with some old paint on it might be nice for my garden.

Seeing your Asian-inspired garden reminds me that while you're here in July, we (the bloggers) will be attending a re-dedication of Delaware Park's Japanese Garden. Two Olmsted Parks workers spent time in Japan being trained in the horticultural ways of Japanese gardens, and gardeners farm Japan were here to clean up and help plan the renovation of the garden. There will be Ikebana flower displays and Japanese dancers. Then, off to a French lunch. Trés Internationale!