It could also be waterlogged. I am not sure what weather you had but here it was raining almost every day for the last four weeks. I would check the drainage of the bed.
Can you tell us please what compost you planted it in ? Urophylla, some call it Winter Beauty is quite vigorous and yours looks as though it was a good plant when you planted it, and it looks like flower buds showing on one of the pictures. The foliage looks healthy at growing tips, a good green colour, but yellowing near the base of the plant.
Good point by Fairygirl re the Atragene Group clematis, Constance and Lemon Dream, they have a different type of root system, don't like being planted deep and don't like very wet feet in Winter, ideal for growing in large pots against a wall.
Thank you everyone. This is interesting. I actually planted this while doing a bit of gardening for my relative. I went yesterday and noticed that the base of the plant looks very thin and fragile now. The narrow bed was originally full of ivy and so I dug in lots of multi purpose compost in prior to planting. I’m not an expert, obviously 😬, and may have chosen the wrong position entirely. It was a very healthy plant before I got my hands on it (from Crocus) and I’d do anything to try and save it. I did give it a feed yesterday but am awaiting a photo this morning from my relative to you show the base. If I’ve messed up, I’d like to buy them another and get it right next time. Thanks in advance everyone 👍
Has it maybe had some slug/snail damage at the base @Allyblueeyes? I wouldn't feed it any more until you can work out what's wrong. It might be worth taking it out and potting it up for now.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's great. I'd move all those stones away though. The new growth coming away looks quite healthy. I'd undo it from all the little ties that it's come with too, and make sure it has some suitable support on the fence to cling onto. The dead/dying foliage possibly comes from a stem that's been chewed though. It's difficult to tell without seeing 'in person' though. Perhaps @Richard Hodson can offer more help if he looks in
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you @Fairygirl 😀 The stones are only a maximum of 1” across (I know they look a lot bigger in the picture). I thought clematis liked to have bases covered/in shade. Please correct me if I’m (very) wrong. I will do as you’ve all instructed and hopefully hear what @Richard Hodson has to say too.
The stones will just shelter slugs which will chomp on the new shoots in spring and may, as Dove indicated, graze the stems and cause damage. Get rid and give it a good mulch of organic matter instead.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
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Can you tell us please what compost you planted it in ? Urophylla, some call it Winter Beauty is quite vigorous and yours looks as though it was a good plant when you planted it, and it looks like flower buds showing on one of the pictures. The foliage looks healthy at growing tips, a good green colour, but yellowing near the base of the plant.
Good point by Fairygirl re the Atragene Group clematis, Constance and Lemon Dream, they have a different type of root system, don't like being planted deep and don't like very wet feet in Winter, ideal for growing in large pots against a wall.
I wouldn't feed it any more until you can work out what's wrong.
It might be worth taking it out and potting it up for now.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The new growth coming away looks quite healthy. I'd undo it from all the little ties that it's come with too, and make sure it has some suitable support on the fence to cling onto.
The dead/dying foliage possibly comes from a stem that's been chewed though. It's difficult to tell without seeing 'in person' though.
Perhaps @Richard Hodson can offer more help if he looks in
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks everyone!