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Advice please

marjcraigmarjcraig Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Dear Gardeners World

This is Clarkeana Winter Beauty a group 1 evergreen Clematis. It was great last winter and flowered early spring but is now looking really sorry for itself. should I cut it right back to the ground? Any idea what might have caused this? Thanks in advance fo any advice

Regards

Marjorie Craig

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2020
    It looks really really thirsty.

     As it’s a winter/early spring flowering type I’d give it a sprinkle of clematis feed and lots of water ... two buckets full poured slowly over the root area every other day, from now until the end of October, whether it rains or not.  

    Climbers planted at the base of a wall or fence really suffer from being in a rain shadow. 



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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree. It's always a mistake to plant too near a fence or wall, unless it's a variety which enjoys a drier position. It looks like you have a hydrangea in front of it as well. That will take all the moisture available. 
    The chicken wire isn't a good support for fine clematis stems. They get damaged very easily on that. Trellis or vine eyes with heavier wire is better. The plastic coated  or galvanised kind, which is heftier. You can then tie in stems as they grow too, to get  better coverage  :)
    They also need shelter from strong winds, so if it's in a windy, chilly spot, that will cause some damage. They aren't the hardies of clematis either, so it will depend where you're located as to how well they do.  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • marjcraigmarjcraig Posts: 2
    Thank you !!! 
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