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The Clematis Pronunciation Debate

By grannysgarden
June 10, 2015

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"?

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Jun 15, 2015 8:37 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Bonnie Harris
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho (Zone 6a)
Knowledge is love, light is vision.
Dog Lover Irises Plant and/or Seed Trader
The local (Northwest) pronunciation of these is clem-AT-is and Pe-ON-ee.

However beig a long time gardener, I pronounce them the other way: CLEM-a-tis and PEE-on-ee.

When I get confused on pronounciations, I look it up and check several sources. I always go with the horticulturists.

Here they say wy-GEL-a and I say (or am trying hard to say) wy-JEE-la, as well.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
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Jun 15, 2015 8:54 AM CST
Name: Bonnie Sojourner
Harris Brake Lake, Arkansas (Zone 7a)
Magnolia zone
Region: United States of America Region: Arkansas Master Gardener: Arkansas Irises Plant and/or Seed Trader Moon Gardener
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Local gardeners here say wy-gee-lia. It does make one hesitant to say the name when touring others gardens. Perhaps that is why there are so many common names for plants. No one can mispronounce busy lizzy, mind your own business, wood sorrel, etc.
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