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Clematis dying

mcgee.catherinemcgee.catherine Posts: 3
in Problem solving
i have planted 2 clematis plants over the last 2 years which have both died. They are near where we previously had a dog poo chemical digester.(3 years ago) Could this be the problem?
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  • Ysera27Ysera27 Posts: 41
    edited August 2021
    Hi. A few questions. Which sort of clematis were they? Soil type, positioning, watering?

    The chemical dog loo could well have left residues. Although I don't think they use actual chemicals but a biodigester. So on second thoughts I doubt it is harmful to plants.

    Please tell us more what happened when the plants died. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Would definitely need a lot more info @mcgee.catherine - varieties, the maturity of them, aspect, soil type, general climate, other planting nearby, or fences/walls, and what care you've given them.
    All these things are factors in how they thrive or not.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mcgee.catherinemcgee.catherine Posts: 3
    Thank you for your comments, weirdly we have a thriving clematis only a few feet away against the same fence, so we are at a loss as to why these two have not survived. The surviving one and the first one that died both came from Morrison's garden centre last year during the pandemic. Both given exactly the same care and had same amount of sun / shade / wind / water. The newer one came from a nursery. Not sure what type of clematis. Just wondered why both in same place have perished. Hey the joys of gardening !? But thank you !
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's because not all clematis have the same requirements. Many need lots of water to survive and establish, and some are the total opposite   :)
    The plants you buy in supermarkets are young. They generally need potting on until they're bigger, stronger plants for planting out, so a lot depends on when you bought them, and what your conditions were like when you planted them. The larger flowered Group2s and 3s also benefit from being planted more deeply, but that would be disastrous for many others. 
    Also, putting another one near an established one can cause problems. A lot of competition for water and nutrients, but again, it depends on the type and the size, as well as the one you already have.
    Clematis are also very attractive to slugs /snails, so new growth can be eaten as soon as it appears. It's another reason why it can be beneficial to grow them on for a while first.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Spot on @Fairygirl a clematis isn't a plant to buy at a supermarket as they aim for a low price point unlike specialist growers who sell 2 year old plants with an extensive root system. Simple economics ruining the enjoyment 😉
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    To be  honest, I don't have a problem with plants bought in supermarkets [I've bought clematis from similar outlets]  but buyers need to have enough info, and some knowledge regarding the aftercare so that they can get the best from them   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mcgee.catherinemcgee.catherine Posts: 3
    WOW thank you so much.... gardening, no matter how long you've been at it, is always a learning game !!
  • mikeymustardmikeymustard Posts: 495
    It certainly is @mcgee.catherine.
    With regard to buying more "specialist" plants like clematis and other shrubby stuff from supermarkets, I think it depends on the sm - my local Morrisons have a girl who looks after their "garden centre" (an old, covered trolley park) and treats it like her own nursery. They sell bigger, ready-to-plant specimens for 5-10 spuds which I would have no hesitation to buy
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The young liner clematis from supermarkets etc are fine but I find that they are better potted on into deep pots and grown on for a year or so before planting out.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • mikeymustardmikeymustard Posts: 495
    Yes, I wouldn't plant out the wee little £2ish plants without a little tlc. They are fantastic value though, if you're prepared to put some time into them - you get some quite unusual varieties.
    They have a habit of following me home in the shopping at the beginning of the season  ;)
    I watched a YouTube video the other day where someone was planting them three at a time in a 10L pot and letting them flower
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