This is a true story of the rebirth and metamorphosis (change in form) -- of Ramona Clematis -- a perennial flowering vine growing in our backyard -- on the south side of Jefferson Park.

 

The clematis – can grow up to heights of 20-feet or more.

 

And they come in over 300 species and hundreds of hybrids.

 

Clematis are perennials – like a large number of wild flowers and regular flowers like daffodils, daisies, and others that stay in the ground and pop up with clocklike regularity every spring.

 

Well over the past 20-years – (my late wife and I moved to the south side of Jefferson Park from New York City in 2001) -- we have had a few varieties -- and over time they somehow all disappeared.

 

For the past few years – the Ramona Clematis variety -- growing to a height of about 5-feet -- was thriving in our backyard – along the border fence with our neighbor to the east.

 

The Ramona Clematis flowers were blooming every year with regularity.

 

The flowers would bloom to full-size toward the end of the spring season -- around the last week of May and first week of June.

 

Not in 2021!

 

Something happened!

 

This year -- some time in April, while pulling out dried plants from last year – I accidentally pulled out the Ramona Clematis vine. I discovered the damage I had done after the vine had been pulled out of its roots from the ground.

 

I was totally heartbroken – to say the least!

 

I wanted my Ramona back!

 

How?

 

First I checked my photographs from last year – I love taking photographs – hundreds of them – always have a digital camera around my neck – and extra batteries and computer chips in my pockets.

 

I have photographs of how the flowers looked in 2019 and 2020.

 

So I got into action.

 

I checked with the local nurseries – none of them had the Ramona Clematis – some said I would have to wait a few weeks – and the Home Depot folks (normally very knowledgeable) – they did not even know what a clematis plant was.

 

I checked on the Internet – the photographs I saw did not resemble the flowers my earlier photographs showed.

 

My neighbor to the east (we have a common fence) – has a big collection of clematis plants – including the Ramona variety. I spoke with her. And it was agreed – once her plants bloomed – and we confirmed that we were dealing with the Ramona – I would make an attempt to take a cutting and work from there.

 

Meanwhile I kept on looking at the location where the roots had been pulled out – to see if any of the vine had grown back.

 

No luck!

 

I started watering the area as required and looked at any possible signs of growth.

 

Again, no luck!

 

Well I kept on looking and looking ----- and finally I gave up.

 

The decision was to wait for the neighbor’s plant to start blooming.

 

The neighbor’s plant did blossom in late May and early June and I confirmed it was exactly like our old Ramona.

 

It was a big relief!

 

All I had to do was take a few cuttings from my neighbor’s plant and watch for the vine to grow.

 

Somehow – with so many tasks to accomplish in the late spring – I did not find the time to make the cuttings.

 

And guess what!

 

A very big surprise!

 

One morning, on June 10, as I was admiring our white wild columbine flowers -- I was thrilled to see a fresh vine growing out of the same location (left of the columbine) where I had pulled out the roots of the old Ramona.

 

My Ramona was back – born again – a rebirth!

 

A miracle!

 

Plants are known to grow back sometimes!

 

That Ramona was back – was very special!

 

From that moment – I was back to taking care of the new vine till it yielded the beautiful flowers.

 

The lead photograph (#1) shows a new Ramona Clematis flower in full bloom as photographed on July 18, 2021. The old vine got accidentally pulled out in April. This and other new flowers grew out of the new vine, with old roots, and a metamorphosis – instead of flowers with 8 petals in the old vine –the new vine (same old roots) has flowers with 6 petals.

 

The following annotated photographs document the progress from the discovery of the new vine to the first full flower (as shown in #1) and more.

 

#2 A., B., & C., show progress in the growth of the new Ramona Clematis vine.

 

A.) Shows that a new vine from old roots (left of the white columbine) has not yet sprouted as of May 23, 2021.

 

B.) A steel cage was added to support the new vine from old roots that had sprouted and started to grow as of June 10.

 

C.) Dakota, our neighbor’s collie, standing guard over the newly sprouted vine.

 

#3. A., B., C., & D., show progress in the development of a new flower.

 

A.) A small bud appeared on July 4. 2021.

 

B.) The bud got bigger as of July 13.

 

C.) A flower, not yet fully developed, came out on July 14, the next day.

 

D.) A fully developed flower – the new Ramona Clematis – was photographed on July 18 on the new vine with 6 petals. The old vine had flowers with 8 petals.

 

#4. Shows a bunch of new Ramona Clematis flowers in full bloom as photographed on July 26, 2021. The old vine got accidentally pulled out in April. The new flowers grew out of the new vine with a metamorphosis – instead of 8 petals in the old vine flowers – the new vine from the same old roots has flowers with 6 petals.

 

#5. A bunch of old Ramona Clematis flowers in full bloom as photographed on May 30, 2019. The old flowers had 8 petals. The old vine got accidentally pulled out in April. The new flowers (see #2, #3, and #4) grew out of a new vine with a metamorphosis – instead of 8 petals in the old vine – the new vine from the same old roots has flowers with 6 petals.

 

#6. Metamorphosis

 

A.) An old Ramona Clematis flower, with 8 petals, as photographed on June 2. 2020.

 

B.) A new Ramona Clematis flower, from the same old roots, with 6 petals, as photographed on July 28, 2021.

 

Dear Ramona – Soooooo Happy that you are Back!

 

Six petals or 8 – I’ll always LUV U!

 

Dear Reader: Enjoy nature – full of joy and sometimes miracles too!