The clematis vine on our porch is a mass of purple blossoms . . .
Except for this single lovely aberration -- a white flower with pale lavender streaks.
Botanists call this sort of thing a 'sport' -- and sometimes new varieties are propagated from sports. And then, these new varieties may begin to revert to the original. So I'm wondering, was my purple clematis (Jackmani, I think) derived from a lighter shade of pale and is it trying to revert? Or is this pretty thing a real sport?
10 comments:
Seeing things like this just shows me how clueless I am.
Whatever it is, Vicki, it's not a spoil sport!
If it is sport, it is GOOD sport.
We have a dark purple lilac with white picot edges that is about half pale pinkish-lilac. Something in the woodpile there.
ha. i guess only time will tell...and in the mean time...you can just enjoy it for what it is...smiles.
It's the chicken or the egg conundrum, isn't it?
For years I have wanted a clematis. And I have no idea why I never planted one. But I'm going to do it today! I love them.
What variety is it? Can you remember? I have a similar one, called The President, which is lovely but so far no where near as prolific as yours Vicki. I think yours is just a little surprise, a good sport as June says.
A lovely mystery...
Vicki, your garden is so full of beauty!
I'm sure you do know of Nadine Gordimer's "A Sport of Nature" or Margaret Drabble's "The Feathered Moth."
I liked the books' titles and the books themselves very much.
xo
Star -- I planted it 15 or 20 years ago so I can't be sure but I think it's Jackmanii -- one of the most common.
Frances -- I don't know either of these books -- more for the list!
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