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Clematis Montana buds don't open

VivienVivien Posts: 42
in Garden design
i planted a clematis Montana four year ago, the first two years there were no flowers,so I was thrilled to bits when it developed lots of buds last year but they never opened even though they looked quite healthy. This year it's happened again, lots of buds but still not opened. .??
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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    What is the soil like where you planted it?  It could be a sign that it isn't getting enough water or is short on nutrients.  Have any of the leaves changed colour in any way?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • VivienVivien Posts: 42
    Soil is good but planted near a try stump hoping to cover it. Had been told that Montana don’t need a lot of attention as they scramble over everything. Plant looks completely healthy even the buds are fat and healthy looking, just don’t open. 
  • VivienVivien Posts: 42
    Sorry, tree stump.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Is it getting much sun? Have you been getting a lot of rain?
  • VivienVivien Posts: 42
    Gets a fair bit of sun also a lot of rain lately, last year of course we had beast from the east.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    They do like a lot of water. I imagine any kind of stress might prevent buds from opening. You could try some clematis feed to spur some action.
  • VivienVivien Posts: 42
    Thanks, I’ll try feeding it. Do I have to use specific food or will Tomatorite be ok?
  • tsteed97tsteed97 Posts: 13
    High potassium feed for flowers
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that's more likely to be a shortage of water in preceeding years, preventing good growth.
    It sounds like a small plant that's been originally planted, which has taken a few years to develop to flowering stage. They do require plenty of water to then grow and thrive, and can take a few years to really get going. A two year old plant can still take another three years to be substantial in size and flowering ability.
    If it already has flowering buds, there's not much point feeding at this stage. 

    Have you got a photo, Vivien? Or more info regarding the size/location  etc?  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Sam80Sam80 Posts: 40
    I have noticed that a lot of the buds on a few of my plants this year haven't fully opened, a couple of camellias, a hydrangea and 2 azaleas, I have put it down to the hot/dry weather last year and the current dry spring (haven't had much rain at all apart from the last few days).  I don't know if they'll open late or just drop off, but I have heard the latter can happen
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