Clematis problems

[doogied]

I have 2 clematis growing one either side of a rustic arch in my garden. The bottom 3ft or so has gone all brown and dead looking and the leaves further up are mottled with dark brown spots, and the plants have never flowered in the 3 years I've had them. Should I bin them or does anyone know a cure for the symptoms?

[welshlibranr]

Hi doogied
I grow clematis on my fences, they're usually really easy to look after, the first thing to look at it if you're getting brown leaves is moisture, is the soil very dry in the area, if so you'll need to water them and feed them in the growing season, I suspect that this is the problem. Hope this helps..........welsh

[Clanad]

A couple of things... here in the U.S., the symptoms you describe fit what we call Clematis leaf and stem spot but I think you Brits call it Clematis wilt... at any rate it's caused by a fungal infection. You can see the reuslts of this since almost all fungal infections of garden plants proceeds from the ground up. It's not to late to try a good fungicide... I recommend one that contains Neem oil... very environmental friendly.
On another note, it's really important to keep the root sytem moist and cool. Mulch the roots heavily and water lightly more often so as not to produce wet feet in the plant... they shouldn't be overly wet for long periods of time.
Best of luck!

[doogied]

Thanks welshlibranr and Clanad, I believe lack of water could maybe be the cause. We have had some rain and I don't water my borders but then my arch is under the overhang of the roof so will probably be too dry. Will investigate and hopefully manage to save the clematis for next year. Thanks again.

[heathfield]

I have two clematis with the same symptoms. Wilt is endemic in this area, and more recently introduced hybrid plants are more suscebtible to it than are some older varieties, like Montana, for example. Advice from a friend who runs a garden centre is, as long as it's not simply a shortage of water that's causing it, then dig it up and burn it and plant a less susceptible variety.

[doogied]

Thanks heathfield, I think it will turn out to be lack of water with mine, will give them another year to see.