Betty Corning Clematis reminds me of Big Betty and the hats she wore to church. Big Betty was a lady who stood tall and sat in the front pews at Church, even with her bold Church hats on. I admired Betty due to her big hats, which always matched her outfits. Growing up, it was always exciting to see what color combination Betty would wear and what the hat would look like. They often had a statement flower strategically placed to make anyone notice. Other times, the flowers dangled off to one side or were in artfully arranged clusters. The hats always made Big Betty stand out amongst the parishioners.
There were a few displays using hats at the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show. I found them quite interesting. It reminded me of the hats the women at Church donned on Sundays. Perhaps I should have been paying attention to the sermon. The colorful hats visible through the pews captured my heart. I found joy in watching the ladies stroll into the church service, knowing they were in their Sunday best with a hat to match.
Some of the hats I saw at the show reminded me of Sunday at church. Many of the ladies only wore understated hats. These hats hugged their heads and were worn in different ways. The traditional way to wear a hat was to sit it on their heads like a crown. Some ladies would tilt them to one side to be a little fancy.
Usually around Mother’s Day, the hats became bigger. At the yearly Convocation, all of the women wore hats and attire that were tasteful and runway-ready. I imagined that perhaps a secret seminar on Church Hat 101 had been held in advance. The brims became larger, had feathers, or were carefully curated hats that coordinated with their outfit of choice. Even today, many wonder what came first, the hat or the outfit?
This hat was an instant reminder of Big Betty at Church. In my imagination, Big Betty would come around the corner at any moment for her hat. She would pause in front of the vestibule window. Catching her reflection, adjusting the hat a smidgeon, Big Betty would royally stroll down the aisle for the perfect seat. I would gaze in awe at this regal woman in the perfect outfit with a tastefully coordinated hat to finish her look for the day.
Over the winter, I looked at endless catalogs to decide on a clematis. Clematis ‘Betty Corning’ caught my eye. The shape of the bloom reminded me of a Church ladies hat. Betty had some of the qualities I wanted to include in my garden. This medium climber has a sweet, fresh fragrance, which is always great in the garden. The small 2-inch flowers begin to bloom mid-summer and continue to bloom abundantly into early fall. The flowers hold their heads down as the vine reaches towards the sky, clutching the arbor along the way. I chuckle as I recall raising a finger and holding my head down, excusing myself from the Church service to go to the restroom. Sometimes, I would tiptoe out to meet my Grandpa to walk to get a block of ice.
Our gardens often capture memories of people, places, and sometimes even trends from the past. The downturned clematis bloom reminded me of Betty, a stately woman, and the glamorous hats she wore. Memories like this are dotted throughout my garden, allowing me to smile each time I walk through.
Do you have blooms in your garden that remind you to reflect and smile?
I patiently await the right time to plant Betty in the perfect spot, where her sweet scent will be carried on the breezes that flow through my garden.
Teri, Cottage in the Court
NOT AI-GENERATED
by 
