Clematis knots again

Another shot of a clematis knot. They are wonderfully sinuous, complex and twisted but at this time of year so brittle that they snap almost immediately if you touch them.

Clematis montana

This clematis montana was the first plant I bought when we moved in ten years ago. It grows up the gates at the back of the house and over the years it has taken them over, twining thick branches through the wrought ironwork. I have to cut it back ruthlessly to stop it from actually bonding the two halves of the gate permanently shut. In winter the complex structures in the tangle are revealed, like this tiny knot of tendrils.

Nandina

Nandina domestica or sacred bamboo although I gather tha it is not a bamboo at all but a barberry. Thanks to Wikipedia for that, and also that it is poisonous and that it is on some sort of government death list in Florida. I might get some more of these - it is always pretty and remarkably delicate looking, considering how tough it is.

Yesterday I cut back my Clematis montana. I also had a good go at taking my finger off with the secateurs.

Rose Hips

More signs of neglect - this particularly ugly rose has managed to entangle itself with the supports for my clematis. Now clematis I like - I have a lot of them - but roses I can live without. I think drastic action may be called for. Job for the next day or two is just general tidying up - including moving the deep coating of leaf mould so that I can see where the paths end and the borders begin.