Today, I’m offering you a picture to dream over: Clematis ‘Perle d’Azur, Rosa ‘Rêve d’Or’ (the pale apricot climber) and Stachys byzantina with a pink moss rose and papaver at RHS Rosemoor.
Clematis and roses have been planted together in cottage gardens for centuries.
The art of combination planting is to mix plants that will extend the flowering season (just how many buds are there on the moss rose?); be harmonious in colour and contrasting in height and texture (the soft lamb’s ear, the prickly roses) and in flower shape. The lamb’s ear brings its spires; the poppy, cups; the roses are rosettes, and the clematis are single, open flowers. The clematis provides height and a mass of purple-blue, which goes so well with the pastel pinks and apricots. There’s a climbing rose too. For good measure, the roses throw scent into the mix.
Between the two clematis is a path, partly hidden by the flowers. And that’s where the dreaming comes in. Round the corner (and behind you) is a garden overflowing with more of the same. I invite you to explore it, if your imagination is up to the task. For those who need a little more to go on, this post on Rosemoor’s Rose Garden in full bloom shows some of what you’d find there.
And if you missed yesterday’s post with quotes for happiness in tough times, you can read it here.
Susan Rushton 
Fabulous Susan, layers of enjoyment in this one photo, thank you!
The picture seemed a bit gappy in the middle until I looked closer and realised there was a path there. It is well-hidden, as Oddment pointed out below.
A beautiful display as well composed as always
Rose gardens can look a bit flat without accessories – Rosemoor did a great job of creating lift.
Yes, it’s that path. I can barely discern it and might have missed it had you not directed my eye. Of course I wandered there immediately — re-visiting your Rosemoor post helped — and once again my heart skipped a beat when I encountered that Shropshire lad. The stuff of dreams (perchance) absolutely. Thank you!
That path is a mistress of disguise. I’m planning another post for dreamers soon.
beautiful
Thanks.
Delightfully dreamy!
I don’t believe I actually have dreamed about clematis and roses… I’m sure I’d have remembered that one!
What a beautiful combination of colors! I love the image! And I love to see these kind of posts now that everything is all about one unique theme….
Hope you’re well, Susan! 🙂
So far so good! I hope you are too. Well, it’s difficult isn’t it? I’m going to keep my posts as cheerful as I can – anything that helps keep people happily indoors is fine by me!
Your colorful flowers always make me smile… And I’m sure I’m not the only one! 🙂 So keep them coming! I love to see them, specially during this strange time!
So pretty. We are a ways away from this season here in Michigan. In fact we won’t get into summer without at least one more snowfall. It never fails. Snow in April. Sigh.
We’ve had less snow than usual this year, so far, although you’ve reminded me we had a hailstorm last year on Dad’s birthday, which is May. Nothing compared to your climate though. I hope you’ll stay warm!
Dream is right! And only in my dreams would I see that amazing combination in my shady garden in the woods. Sigh. We bought our home before I realized how much I liked gardening.
I do love shady gardens a lot too. Gardens like this are a pretty labour intensive.
We always want what we don’t have. 😉
Beautiful – makes me look forward to seeing summer flowers… 🙂
It’s a pity we can’t guide our dreams – just a nudge in a particular direction…now that would be a good invention!
Beautiful colors!
I always enjoy seeing purples and blues combined with roses.
And what is that gorgeous clematis? Any idea?
It’s Clematis ‘Perle d’Azur’. I’ll add the name to the post.
I did wonder, it is gorgeous.
That picture makes me swoon. And what a great summary of the purpose of plant combinations.
There was even a glimpse of a blue sky and that can never be taken for granted in England, even in the south.