Is this wilt, mold, insects - is my Clematis dying?

13 years ago

I've been so busy with other projects in my yard this year that I didn't notice how bad my Clematis had gotten! Some of the lower leaves started to brown in July, but I figured it was just from the very hot and dry weather.

I have been watering it every day, except for when it rains of course.

These brown leaves are now all the way up almost half way, a few have holes in them, and a few have whitish bits on them.

Info:

It's a Jackmanii Clematis, and I just planted it this past spring.

It flowered quite a lot for it's first year (repeatedly), but it's spindly. I was going to trim it back in the spring. However, I'm worried that it's actually dying and that because the lower parts are ALL brown leaves, that if I cut it back too far it will hurt it.

Help???

Comments (3)

buyorsell888
13 years ago
Unfortunately, this can be normal behavior. Many of mine look exactly the same.

You should whack it off six inches from the ground in early spring or anytime after regular frosts so it isn't encouraged to start growing again.

You shouldn't worry about these vines, the new growth is going to come up from the crown which you should have buried when you planted. Not from these stems which are done.

Daily watering should not be necessary except for tiny pots or newly planted Clems in extreme heat.
opheliathornvt zone 5
13 years ago
Lots of mine look terrible too. My Henryi has 6' of brown leaves, but has produced a couple of beautiful white flowers from that brown mess. Others are just done for the year. Nothing to worry about.
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serenae
Original Author
13 years ago
Well, I'm relieved that even this many brown leaves are still okay and "normal".
Thanks both of you for your replies - I'll do the big chop in the early spring and also plant some shallow-root plants around the bottom so that they can cover the ugliness next year!