My Neighbor Keeps Her Garden Growing

@CarolDM (203422)

Nashville, Tennessee

May 26, 2023 11:33am CST

Visited my neighbor yesterday. He shared more of his wild mint. I grow it in containers in the screen room. My cats love it and I use it in my hot tea. Smells so fresh. While visiting, he had to show me what is blooming in his garden. After his wife (my friend) passed with cancer in 2018, he has kept her garden growing every year. He is close to 80 y/o now and it is a lot of work. He said he wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to keep it going. His daughter has offered to help him. This purple clematis vine is one of my many favorites. It is growing around a lamp post on his sidewalk, in the front garden. The purple is such a deep shade, it is stunning. I need one of these in my garden. A few facts about Clematis I was not aware of: The name clematis comes from the ancient Greek klematis, for a climbing vine! Clematis belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Wild clematises (Clematis virginia), aka old man’s beard, virgin’s bower, and devil’s darning needles, can grow 20 feet in 1 year. Centuries ago, Europeans used clematis vines to make baskets and fish traps. Snapped many photos and I will share more later. Stunning garden.

34 people like this

36 responses

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317242)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

26 May 23

That's very interesting about the clematis vine. It's beautiful. I wouldn't mind having that growing around my balcony.

4 people like this

show previous comments

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317242)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

26 May 23

@CarolDM Good to know they're easy to grow. Can you grow them in pots?

4 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

@just4him You could keep them in pots and they just wouldn't grow as big. I just read this online... Clematis is a perennial vine that grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9. It thrives in the garden or planted in containers. Although most clematis plants are vining types, there are some shrubby clematis varieties available. The plant is also known to be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

Thanks Valerie. It is stunning. He was so proud to show me her garden he is still keeping up. These are easy to grow, I need one too.

4 people like this

Show more comments

@sjvg1976 (41290)

• Delhi, India

27 May 23

Wow, the purple color always fascinates me. He is doing fine at the age of 80 years. Sorry to know that your friend passed away. I remember you mentioned your neighbor in many of your posts.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

The purple is stunningly beautiful. He is going well even though he misses his wife every day. Thank you for remembering.

3 people like this

@sjvg1976 (41290)

• Delhi, India

27 May 23

@CarolDM Is he able to live alone? Or do his kids live with him?

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

@sjvg1976 He is alone. His daughter lives about 20-30 minutes away. His son in New York. But someone always checks on him daily.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@Juliaacv (51588)

• Canada

27 May 23

I love the beautiful deep purple blooms, purple is my favorite colour. I used to grow mint on the edges of our garden to keep pests out of the vegetables. It was very effective and had such a nice scent.

3 people like this

show previous comments

@Juliaacv (51588)

• Canada

27 May 23

@CarolDM They are very nice. I also love morning glories, they are such a pretty shape, of course alot lighter in colour.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

@Juliaacv Oh yes she had those in hanging baskets on her front porch. Such beauty to enjoy.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

This one is stunning and the first thing you see in the front of his home. Brought back memories for me too of when I visited his wife almost every day. A good friend.

3 people like this

Show more comments

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61633)

• Centralia, Washington

27 May 23

One of my grandmothers grew clematis. I did not try to grow clematis when we lived East side cause you have to keep it cool at the base and hot at the top- impossible over there. Here. I see it growing many places. Lovely photo.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

Oh what great memories for you. They are stunning. This one comes back each year. Takes me back to the times his wife was here. She spent so much time in her garden and is missed so much. She has left lots of beauty behind.

2 people like this

@nela13 (58720)

• Portugal

26 May 23

Só beautiful! It is wonderful that he keeps the garden growing, it is a way of showing love to his wife

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@nela13 (58720)

• Portugal

29 May 23

@CarolDM it sure is.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

It is a beauty for sure. So special to watch him in the garden.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

29 May 23

@nela13 Thanks again. Hope your day has been a good one.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@LindaOHio (181642)

• United States

26 May 23

That's a lovely Clematis. My hubby's cousin has offered to weed our flower garden when it needs it. That takes a little bit of pressure off of us. What hubby usually does is spray that toxic weed killer all around.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@LindaOHio (181642)

• United States

26 May 23

@CarolDM Me too. She has helped us so much.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

@LindaOHio We all need a little help from time to time.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

It is beautiful. And the first thing you see when you walk up to his house. So happy you have someone to help you two.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@shaggin (72240)

• United States

27 May 23

Wow that sure is a pretty color and it’s nice how full it gets! I hope his daughter will help him so he can continue to enjoy the garden until he himself passes on someday

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@shaggin (72240)

• United States

1 Jun 23

@CarolDM I don’t blame him and think it’s a good way to be. People tend to give up on life quite a bit when they can no longer have their independence.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

31 May 23

I love this one too. He keeps it growing it each year. So special. She will help when he allows. He still tries to be independent.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Jun 23

@shaggin He is not one to give up. And staying busy helps many of us to keep our mind away form places we don't want to visit.

1 person likes this

@jstory07 (139965)

• Roseburg, Oregon

7 Jun 23

Those purple flowers are really beautiful.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 Jun 23

I really like these and I saw my neighbor again today, I bragged on these some more. He just smiled, he is very proud, as he should be.

1 person likes this

@GreatMartin (23672)

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

29 May 23

I hope his daughter helps him!

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

29 May 23

She does help and his son in NY calls very often.

@RasmaSandra (80748)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

27 May 23

Such beautiful and colorful flowers. Interesting information I have never seen these flowers before,

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

28 May 23

I have to agree with you. They are stunning in person too. Easy to grow.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (220245)

• Walnut Creek, California

27 May 23

I am glad he keeps his garden growing.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@TheHorse (220245)

• Walnut Creek, California

28 May 23

@CarolDM I actually did some planting today, as well as harvesting of succulents for some friends who are hosting a small gathering this evening.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

29 May 23

@TheHorse Good for you. I have sedum growing in the garden.

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

28 May 23

It keeps him going to get this accomplished each year.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Ronrybs (19585)

• London, England

26 May 23

That is a vibrant colour. Yes, gardens are a lot of work, mine still looks a bit of jungle, but getting there

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@Ronrybs (19585)

• London, England

27 May 23

@CarolDM Minimum effort works for me!

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

Love the purple. They are work and worth it. But the hot weather can really take its toll if you are not careful. I prefer perennials, a lot less maintenance.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

@Ronrybs Same here.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (87854)

• Bangalore, India

26 May 23

I just fell in love with this

. Purple is my favourite colour and I like all shades of purple..this is so dark and stunning. I bet he has a lovely garden and he puts a lot of efforts there.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

It is amazing in person, even prettier. I have it on my list to get. Grows very easy. The garden is gorgeous. I have other photos to share soon.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (87854)

• Bangalore, India

29 May 23

@CarolDM Anyone would fall in love with that gorgeous plant and would like to have one. Will be a treat to watch the other photos that you will share

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

29 May 23

@arunima25 I agree. They are easy to grow.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Rashnag (30592)

• Surat, India

4 Jun 23

Beautiful picture. Glad to know about the flowers. Have a great day. Take care

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Jun 23

Thanks and the same to you.

1 person likes this

@youless (112586)

• Guangzhou, China

27 May 23

Keeping the garden beautiful is a way to remember his wife. It is very touching to think about that.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

He enjoys it very much.

1 person likes this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)

• China

27 May 23

He keeps the garden growing in memory of his wife.What a beautiful purple clematis ! I have seen clematis with white flowers before.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

I have seen the white ones too. This garden does keep him going.

1 person likes this

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

27 May 23

Lovely

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Jun 23

Thanks, I thought so too.

@Marilynda1225 (83118)

• United States

27 May 23

That really is a gorgeous shade of purple. Interesting facts about Clematis. I would love to grow some of that by my front door.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

I always think of her as this was her favorite color. It is easy and a fast grower. Would look nice by your door.

1 person likes this

Dr Souvik Chatterji

@sathviksouvik (19689)

•

27 May 23

the flowers are really beautiful and very well maintained

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

I totally agree with you.

@lazydaizee (6735)

• United Kingdom

27 May 23

It is nice that he has his garden as a hobby.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

It keeps him going for sure.