So I planted two jackmanii (got them from wal-mart, unspecified cultivar) and I think both got bit from clematis wilt. One entire branch on both turned a crunchy brown. I cut it off asap. How do you guys treat or prevent this? Isn't it a fungus? I already spray with daconil and sulfur on an alternating pattern for my phlox, hollyhocks, pumpkins, and roses. Should I add the clematis to the rotation?

Also, I got a niobe and Avant-Garde I'm ready to plant. The avant-garde is from a local nursery so it is very large, about 3/4 feet. The tag says 8-10'. Are they vigorous? I am putting it out front and it needs to get about 10'.

Don't know anything about the niobe.

I am getting conflicting information on if these are group a, b, or c's. Silly internet.

Let me know ;0.

Thanks!

Single entire branches dying back on newly planted clematis are often the result of stem damage rather than wilt. The stems are extremely delicate and break or split easily, resulting in dieback. We see this constantly at the nursery and I spend a good portion of my time carefully removing broken stems and resulting dead foliage. Many clematis authorties do not consider wilt to be a fungal disease but rather the inability of the vascular system of immature plants to support rapid and lush topgrowth. It is extremely common with many LFH's, primarily those in group II but is seldom fatal and most vines will eventually grow out of it. I have yet to see any text or resource that supports spraying as any kind of deterrant.....I wouldn't bother.

When planting new vines, prepare a large, well-amended planting hole and plant the vines deep -- 2-6" deeper than they present in the nursery container. And all clematis regardless of pruning group will benefit from hard pruning for at least the first couple of seasons in the ground. Both of these practices will encourage the development of a large, healthy root system less prone to wilt and the growth of multiple stems from the root crown, resulting in stronger and more vigorous, wilt-resistant plants. And one of the benefits of planting something at the base of clematis is to shield/protect these fragile stems from accidental damage.