I have had a Sweet Autumn Clematis appear in my garden. I know they can be invasive and many of you don't like them; however, I am happy about this especially since it is growing along an ugly railing I wanted to cover up. I just noticed it about a month ago and for the past few weeks it has had beautiful, fragrant flowers. When I checked it yesterday the flowers are all brown and dead. The leaves still seem green and healthy. Should I just cut off the brown parts? Why would the flowers have died? It gets a lot of afternoon sun but I have read that they like sun and I assume they would not plant themselves in a bad spot. I have not watered it because we have had significant rainfall.
I am also wondering if I can train it to grow sideways along the rail since the rail isn't tall. Thank you.