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Should I plant this clematis?

Sazz101Sazz101 Posts: 248
in Problem solving
Hello Forkers. Please can you advise on whether this clematis is diseased or just dying back for winter? It arrived from plants4you this week. I want to introduce it to a large pot which also has a rose (on a north facing wall). I dont want to introduce disease. Thanks in advance for any ideas. 

Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I would guess that it's a deciduous variety and is just about to lose its leaves for the winter.  But if you're in any doubt, why not pot it up on its own until the spring?  When the new leaves come out, you'll be able to see if it's ok - but I'd be surprised if it isn't.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    There are over 4000 varieties of clematis listed on this academic database alone - http://clematisontheweb.org/index.cfm 

    Without knowing which yours is we can't say for certain whether it's just dying down for winter or is a sickly evergreen tho I suspect the former.  No can we know if it is suitable for a north facing position or when to advise you prune it or even how deeply it needs to be planted.   Most clematis appreciate being planted deeper than they were in their pot as this encourages formation of better roots and more shoots and thus more flowers.  A few don't.

    The other thing you need to know is that both roses and clematis are gross feeders and can get thirsty very quickly in a pot so you'll need a large pot filled with good quality loam based compost and some drainage at the bottom so they don't sit in sog.  You will need to give a large feed of slow release fertiliser every spring and regular watering with occasional feeds of liquid rose or tomato food from spring thru to mid July and then just make sure they never get thirsty in hot spells.  That can mean daily watering sometimes.
    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
  • Sazz101Sazz101 Posts: 248
    Thanks @ Liriodendron and @Obelixx. Sorry yes forgot to say it is a group 3 so likely dying back anyway. When mine die back they just turn brown so I had never seen that yellow / white discolouration. The clematis stands a good chance on the north wall according to GW website (Clematis Madame Julia Correvon) and the 60l pot had plenty of those slow release balls added before I planned the bare root Crown Princess Margareta. Thanks for the heads up about the watering, since the pot will now fit in a tray. By the front door so hopefully the drooping leaves will remind me! Will leave it out and see what happens. Thanks again.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    OK then.  http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=574

    Plant it 3 or 4 inches deeper than it is in the pot and water well before and after planting.  Add extra fertiliser next spring as some nutrients form those balls will leach out with winter rains.  A specialist fertiliser for roses, clematis or tomatoes is best as it will have the correct ingredients for encouraging flowers.
    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
  • Sazz101Sazz101 Posts: 248
    Thank you Obelixx  :)
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