CLEMATISAh! what is the correct pronunciation of the name? The English call it Clematis(Klem-a-tis)and the Americans call it Clematis! Sort that one out. Not a scientific survey but I did ask the bloggers when they came to Austin and visited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The only other English lady used the same pronunciation as myself. We were outnumbered.
My Clematis number two, and this is their moment in the garden.
Unfortunately I have my hybrid showy, Ville de Lyon flower in the Texas garden and my shy, pitcher-shaped Texas native in the English garden. Both seem quite happy in their surroundings. So just like this transplanted English girl I think I'll just leave them be.
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ReplyDeleteWhat I find hardest is figuring out pronunciations for words I've only ever seen written. I only recently found out that kalanchoe isn't pronounced, "cull-On-cho," but rather, "Cal-en-co-ey." My family doesn't believe me, either.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've started a weblog! I'm adding you to my RSS reader so I can check back on you often.
Thanks to Pam I found your lovely blog. I was part of the tourists at the Spring Fling. Thanks again for showing us the wildflower center. I love your English accent. I wish I could have seen your garden.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteI have always had that problem with correct pronunciation. When I was doing Botany in college I remember someone laughing at me when I mispronounced Pinus sylvestris!
ReplyDeleteJenny
I admired your Ville de Lyon on the Gardens in Austin tour. Do you do anything special to help it grow? I didn't think the big showy clematis did well in Austin, but you and Annie in Austin are growing them beautifully.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm afraid that I am often guilty of neglecting my plants and as a result some do not make it. I just followed the old advice of roots in the shade and flowers in the sun. Also make sure that you cover the stem well above the root flare. This protects in case there is a break in the somewhat delicate stem. This V de L has performed well every single year. The Texas native, I purchased at the WFC sale last year. It dies to the ground but comes back very quickly in the spring. It really needs to be watched as it likes to twine around the other plants.
ReplyDeleteJenny
I have always pronounced it Cla-Mat-Is. Always sounds like a disease...lol I love them though and I collect as many as I can(-:
ReplyDeleteI am another Pam referrer(-: I enjoyed your blog!!!
I came across your blog when I was searching for the pronunciation of clematis. I have been living in USA long enough that I was not sure how I used to pronounce the name, I think the same way you do. I guess it really doesn't matter. I have fallen in love with this lovely plant and will add to my collection as time goes by.
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