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Why did my Clematis die??

Daithi29Daithi29 Posts: 71
in Problem solving
Hi All, 

I'm absolutely disgusted. I bought a Clematis Taiga last Spring. I trained it up a homemade obelisk and it flowered no problem. I cut it back and then this Spring, about 4 weeks ago, I planted it in my new raised bed, about 30cm away from the wall. I also surrounded the roots with Petunias to keep them cool, and buds started to appear a couple of weeks ago.

We have had a considerable dry spell here in Ireland the last week so I have been watering it well every evening. But I went out to water it this evening and it looks totally dead. The leaves are like paper and the buds are drooping. 

Did something kill it? Did I over water it? Did I not plant the roots deep enough to keep them cool? 

Any advise would be very welcome as I just love the flowers of this Clematis and will definitely be getting another one next season. 

Thanks 

Dave
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Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The cool roots thing is a myth.   What clematis don't like is thirst and hunger but especially thirst.   I have clematis here in full sun all day and they are fine as long as they are planted deeply, given plenty to drink and a generous spring feed.   It's a lot warmer and drier here than in Ireland.

    Being so close to a wall may be a problem and I wonder how deep your raised bed is and what's underneath it?

    The other thing to know is that all is not lost.  If the root system is good it should send up new shoots so don't give up on it.  I find some clematis can take a couple of years to settle down and have also had some do a Lazarus and re-appear after playing dead for a year or two or three......
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    I don't think it is the right time of the year to be moving it, especially if it had flower buds.  Probably just in shock.......
  • Daithi29Daithi29 Posts: 71
    Thanks so much guys. Fingers crossed it's just in shock and comes back to life. So should I cut it right back to the lowest set of leaves or just leave as is and hope for the best? Water/feed more? 

    Thanks again 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with what @Obelixx has said. It largely depends on the volume of soil in the raised bed, whether it has access to the ground below, and the condition of the soil.

    Have you got a photo? If it's just a bit droopy, it will recover with adequate watering, and a cooler couple of days. When we say watering - that means a bucket of water at a time, to get it right down below to the root system. Not a sprinkle on top. That's worse than not watering at all.
    Don't feed it if it's struggling. Without seeing the growing conditions, it's hard to give more accurate advice too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Daithi29Daithi29 Posts: 71
    Thanks Fairygirl. I'll send on a pic as soon as I'm home. It's at the lower end of the slanted raised bed, but theres nothing to block the roots underneath that I know off. The soil is good quality topsoil mixed with compost so cant see that being the issue, but will keep watering and hope it recovers 🤞
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hard to visualise the bed, but if you can get a pic, that will be great @Davewalsh29  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Daithi29Daithi29 Posts: 71


    There you go. Clematis is on the right hand side as you're looking at it. Total work in progress so forgive all the bare patches and crazy grass 😁
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Thirst!  And possibly inadequate planting depth.   If you've been watering enough - 5 to 10 litres at a time - there should be no dry soil showing and I can see plenty.

    Pour it on slowly so it drips down deep rather than runs off.  Repeat daily for a week and then try every other day.   The petunias may not like it tho.  

    As for depth, I'd have built up the raised bed to one single level of wood rather than step it and if you can do that and then back fill the bed you'll have a better looking feature and better depth for your clem.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a very young plant @Davewalsh29. I'd have left that in a pot for another 6 months or so, or potted on, depending on the size it was in when you got it etc. If you had it already planted, then moved it, it can take a while for them to settle again  :)
    Lots of other planting around it too,which is competition for the water. 
    I lifted a mature viticella last year, and it's not much further on yet. It'll be another year or two before it's back at full strength.  :)

    I'd cut that back to a decent joint somewhere, to give it a chance. The dead foliage is doing nothing for it.  If you can remove the plants right at the foot too, that'll help. 
    It just needs time to mature now. It would be worth getting some proper supports in too, before it grows again  :)
    The beds will be very nice once you get everything going. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Slugs might be nibbling at the base of the plant. That can cause leaves to go limp.
    Rutland, England
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