Clematis

Experimenting again with depth of field, and blurring the background. I can't get a lot closer than this, but that's at the wide end of the lens, so a very out of focus background isn't really possible. At greater focal length close focus isn't possible. Eventually I'll work out the best compromise. 

Clematis 'Brunette' is in bud now, and putting out its first leaves. The flowers will be deep maroon, and it should go on flowering on and off until the autumn. It's slowly covering the obelisk it's growing up. It isn't especially vigorous, but most plants take about three years to establish well in our soil, so it might get going a bit this time.