Since this is Celebrating Clematis Week, I thought I would pose a question to all regions that grow and love the plant. How do you pronounce the word "clematis"?
It's regional. Gardeners in Virginia say kla-MAT-is and peeOWNee, and they were wear white gloves and flowered hats to their garden club meetings. Pronunciation is opposite in California, where people wear white after Labor Day.
Wherever you end up, go with the prevailing traditions and share cuttings.
Name: Karen Mcilroy Lake Havasu City, Arizona (Zone 10a)
I have to say I'm a Klem-MAT-is fan. And I've always said PEE-on-ee, not pee-OWN-e. I could very well be wrong on both counts but at this point its hard to teach an old dog new words. Karen
My grandmother was the expert on peonies and she pronounced it pee-o-née and that's how I say it.. Don't reckon I will ever change that! I love peonies and next to lilacs, they are a third favorite. They're beautiful, smell wonderful and are just very special!
