Clematis ‘Niobe’
Continuing a look around the garden over the first half of May, I keep coming back to this Clematis ‘Niobe’. It was purchased in April 2015 at Southern States in Carrboro, a favorite local plant nursery since I’ve been gardening.
Clematis ‘Niobe’
I go through periods of wanting an all-red or all-white and certainly an all-blue border. They never materialize as I imagine but a few of the plants such as this one end up becoming stars. This is a great shade of red.
The clematis has been waiting in the wings, caught up in the nightmarish aster that has been overwhelming my iris border. Most of last year I couldn’t even get through easily to the back fence where this clematis lives to check on it. This year the aster has been pulled out twice and still is revving its engines, sending out new runners underground. (Its leaves are visible in the lower right portion of the image above.) I am determined to keep working to be rid of that aster.
Meanwhile Clematis ‘Niobe’ is visible this May and looking lovely. It began opening around April 10.
Itea virginica ‘Sprich’ LITTLE HENRY (Virginia sweetspire)
pbmGarden 
Your clematis and garden is looking great. I have tried some single color beds and they usually turn out “mostly” one color.
Good to know it’s possible to stick with the color theme. I never buy enough of the one color to begin with, then I need “just a little spot” for something of a different color–just temporary! Ha! Ha!
I love Niobe too, such a rich colour and velvety flowers.
I’m always chasing “reds” in the garden. The label suggested it would bloom all summer but mine certainly does not. It probably suffers from too much afternoon sun in summer where I have it planted and uneven moisture probably as well. I’m not good about babying my plants.
I love that Clematis Susie. One I have planted this year is a lovely shade of red too and I would like more red altogether in the garden. Your last image really caught my eye… I have been trying to get hold of Itea virginica Little Henry this spring, but it seems the lockdown upset my order at a big nursery and the plant remains undelivered to today and cannot be sourced elsewhere. I will keep trying to find one after seeing your photo as I do think it is such a pretty shrub! 😃
‘Niobe’ has such a rich, royal purple. I like it.
Thanks. Yes it’s great.