Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Dr Ruppel Clematis died back

novice3novice3 Posts: 9
in Plants
I bought a small bare root Dr Ruppel clematis in October and potted it up according to advice given, in a well draining compost. But now (January) it has complete died back. Is this to be be expected or is there anything I should do to care for it/ protect it more?? Completely new to clematis growing!

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    It will die back, it's winter! It's hardy so should be OK. You'll just have to wait and see if it sprouts come the spring. You can scratch the stem and see if there is any green but as it's small I don't think I would.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • novice3novice3 Posts: 9
    Ah thanks. Sorry I should have been clearer I meant like totally gone 😬 no stem left ....
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited January 2021
    The phrase 'small bare root ' is very telling I'm afraid. With clematis, it's better to buy a good sized plant from a reputable supplier, unless you're very experienced. It saves disappointment.

    If you had a very small plant, it would have needed some protection and growing on for a long time.  Clematis take several years to reach maturity   :)

    Worth contacting the supplier though - especially if you have photos.
    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
    edited January 2021
    Clematis can take a couple of years to get their roots down and established and then develop a good strong system of stems.   I always now pot new plants on into a bigger pot where I can keep an eye on them and feed and water them to help them along and only plant them out after another year or two, depending on size.

    Dr Ruppel is a group 2 clematis which means its stems usually stand the winter and then the first flush of flowers in late spring/early summer appears on the old stems.  If you then feed it well and dead head it should produce a second flush in late summer.

    I grew Dr Ruppel in my last garden but it never did stand up well to the harsher winters there so I treated it as a group 3 - prune hard in March, feed and then it would grow new stems and flower later but for one longer period over summer.   You could try giving yours a mulch of rich, well-rotted garden compost or manure in case the roots are OK and then keep an eye on any new shoots appearing in spring as they will be slug caviar.

    If not, try again but nurture it better.   Clematis are fabulous plants and fairly easy once you understand their needs.   
    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
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I have always found buying small clematis from places like supermarkets costing about £1.75 have always done better that the very expensive ones!
    At least if it dies you have not lost a fortune!!
    I buy them usually in the spring and put them directly where they are to grow.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They would be very vulnerable if I did that here. Growing conditions are a very important factor   :)
    A small bare root plant bought in autumn would really struggle without adequate care.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    I agree that growing conditions make a big difference. I've also had success with little ones planted out, but my garden is fairly sheltered (East of England and walled). So all in all, it will probably depend where you are. I wouldn't give up all hope, but a bit of fleece might help it. The Group 2 ones tend to be a lot trickier to establish than viticellas FWIW. My biggest problem on limey clay has been molluscs, which once managed to exterminate a 'Prince Charles' from a height of 1 m above the ground! I obviously have basically the stunt-slugs of the performing world.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Fairygirl said:
    They would be very vulnerable if I did that here. Growing conditions are a very important factor   :)
    A small bare root plant bought in autumn would really struggle without adequate care.

    I try not to buy ANY plant in the Autumn as by Spring it has invariably vanished.
    So I now buy only in Spring so they have a good summer to grow and establish!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
Sign In or Register to comment.