Perseverance

I've not had much luck with climatis plants.  I think I have bought three, but they always get eaten off at ground level.  When I found the beginning of a vine for a third time this summer (after woodchuck ate it off twice before), I wrapped the tiny leaves in plastic wrap, in hopes of deterring the critter.  I wasn't sure the plant would survive that,  but it did.

  As it grew taller,  I continued to wrap it in bubble wrap, to keep it safe.  Finally, I have a flower!  It's not very showy or colorful or impressive.  

But it is the product of a great deal of perseverance---that of both the vine and the gardener!   We have prevailed!

Next year, I'll bubble wrap from the earliest signs of life.   The battle between the creature and the critter rages on.