remembering dad in the garden: clematis and changing times
Every time I see my clematis bloom, I’m taken back to my childhood summers, watching my father tend his own tangled vines with a patience I never quite understood until now. Back then, gardening was about tradition—handed-down secrets, dirt under the nails, and a quiet pride in coaxing beauty from the earth. Today, I see younger folks using apps to track their plants, debating whether native species or exotic hybrids are better for our neighborhoods. Sometimes I wonder if we’re losing something in the rush for efficiency and aesthetics.
Here in our North American climate, clematis can be both a challenge and a joy. My father swore by planting them deep and letting them climb the old wooden trellis he built himself. Now, some in my community argue for modern metal supports or even container gardening to keep things tidy and HOA-approved. I miss the wild look of those vines spilling over the fence, even if the neighbors complained.
As we celebrate Father’s Day, I can’t help but feel the tug between honoring the past and embracing the new. Do we stick with what our parents taught us, or adapt to changing times and rules? I’d love to hear how others balance tradition and innovation in their gardens—especially when the rules of the neighborhood seem to clash with the roots of our memories.
#fathersday #gardeningmemories #clematis #Gardening
