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Clematis not looking great

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  • sarinkasarinka Posts: 270
    Clematis are quite thirsty and hungry. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Definitely increase the watering and add loads of mulch once the roots are thoroughly soaked and not before.  I'd do every other day for a couple of weeks to get it going again and then go to every 4 days.  10 litres/2 gallons at a time and poured slowly so it soaks in.

    There are a few exceptions but, generally speaking, clematis roots need to be deep so they can access extra water and nutrients as they are very hungry, thirsty plants.  Etoile Violette is very vigorous once established but not if you let it get thirsty.
    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
  • Thanks @Obelixx, I'll give that a go ...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    sarinka said:
    Clematis are quite thirsty and hungry. 
    It depends on the variety/species, hence our query re the variety. It also depends on the location of the plant, the soil, and the general conditions.  :)

    What colour were the flowers when it flowered @jamesharcourt? Those are very different varieties, in both colour and size of flower  :)
    E.V looks like this

    They do need plenty of water, but they also need time, and proper pruning.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fairygirl said:
    sarinka said:
    Clematis are quite thirsty and hungry. 
    It depends on the variety/species, hence our query re the variety. It also depends on the location of the plant, the soil, and the general conditions.  :)

    What colour were the flowers when it flowered @jamesharcourt? Those are very different varieties, in both colour and size of flower  :)
    E.V looks like this

    They do need plenty of water, but they also need time, and proper pruning.
    yes, that's how they looked for sure ... :-)
    flowered a few weeks ago really i think 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's probably lacking sustenance then - food and water. They need plenty of water to do well.
    Make sure you prune back hard in early spring too, feed it, and hopefully it will have more stems next year which you can train in.
    A mature one will cover a big area. Mine easily spreads across about ten to twelve feet of fence, and  I have it more horizontal than vertical as it's in a raised bed, but it gets to about five feet in height.
    I actually lifted it last autumn to put in a different spot, but some of it was still there, and is covering the fence well again  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Well then, with decent watering and feeding it should, in future, flower for months, well into September and produce more stems each year.   I hope your supports are good.
    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
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2020
    If the sparrows are having dust baths ... and that’s what it sounds like they’re doing ... then the whole area is much much too dry ... water, water, water is what’s needed. A bucket full every other day from now until mid September ... poured gently onto the root area so that it soaks in and doesn’t run off the surface   ... start the regime again in March. And mulch. 
    And feed and prune (cut hard back) every year as @Fairygirl has described. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457
    My dog used to dig after the blood fish and bone that I used in my planting holes but I loved him anyway (terrier type!) 😁
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