Pat, are you positive they're wilting? My AL has started to bloom, and before the flowers open, the ends of the buds are a bit twisted and down-turned, and their outsides are puckery-looking. But the flowers open up just fine.

Have you had a drastic change in weather?..Some reported snow in parts of the country...Jeanne

Many Clematis have down turned blooms, can you post a photo?

Whoops. So this may not be a problem after all! Unfortunately, in the spirit of "get rid of whatever is sick as fast as possible lest it spred," I cut those blooms off this morning so I can't post a picture! I'll see what develops tomorrow.

But, based on what you guys have said, I'm going to give any future buds a chance to bloom regardless of what they look like! Maybe it's not a problem.

Jeanne, we haven't had any serious weather anomalies. Certainly no snow!

Thanks, all. I'll be back.

Whoops. So this may not be a problem after all! Unfortunately, in the spirit of "get rid of whatever is sick as fast as possible lest it spred," I cut those blooms off this morning so I can't post a picture! I'll see what develops tomorrow.

But, based on what you guys have said, I'm going to give any future buds a chance to bloom regardless of what they look like! Maybe it's not a problem.

Jeanne, we haven't had any serious weather anomalies. Certainly no snow!

Thanks, all. I'll be back.

Alba Luxurians also often has green streaks or green tepals whne it blooms that might look funny to you. They are normal.

Buyorsell, I did know about the green tips. I've seen it in bloom. The buds were just a surprise to me. I should have a real bloom here one of these days.

At last Alba Luxurians is blooming, and she looks great. Of course, she's missing those half dozen buds I cut off because I thought they were symptomatic of some terrible disease. Live and learn. Thanks to all.

Happy to hear she is doing great! How about a picture? We need more pictures on this forum!