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Clematis (Mrs N Thompson variety) seemingly dead at bottom but new growth at top- what can I do?

Suiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvySuiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvy Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I have a clematis (Mrs N Thompson variety). It was decimated by caterpillars and appeared dead. It's bottom half is dry, woody and looks dead, however this spring the top half has come back to life with leaves and flowers, meaning its very top heavy, and a bit odd looking. Is there anything I can do? Can I bury the bottom half in the soil? Or propagate it in some way?

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    That is not unusual for a Clematis. It is all about pruning correctly in Spring and planting in front of them to hide a bare bottom.
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  • Suiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvySuiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvy Posts: 4
    Ah okay. Good to know. Thank you! I’m waiting on some soil to fill my new raised beds so will take your advice and plant some stuff in front of it to hide the bottom part. 
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Yes mine does this - never grown clematis in 40 years of gardening until 2 years ago, lol, so I'm no expert! I thought it was wilt until this year, when I went to chop them back I noticed new leaves sprouting from the brown stems. I've left them to their own devices now, so I might get some flowers in winter! 😄
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Suiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvy It is a group 2 clematis here. I would prune it end of February to approx 18 inches this will encourage flowers lower down. Clematis in groups 2 and 3 like to be planted deeply so that extra roots can grow from the stem . A good root system means more flowers. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Suiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvySuiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvy Posts: 4
    @GardenerSuze thank you! I will do that. I’ll also plant it a bit deeper when I get the soil for my raised beds too. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - the Group 2s and 3s are better planted a bit deeper as they send shoots up from below ground level. 
    It'll be far better in the ground too, so if you're getting it into your raised bed, that will be far better. If you add plenty of organic matter, that will also help. They need a decent, rich soil and plenty of water, with some food up until the have buds/flowers. Then you can look at pruning next year, although Group 2s only need a trim after flowering. Group 3s are different and get hard pruned in late winter/early spring.
    You can do the same with the 2s, but they'll flower later, so it depends on what you like and want    :)
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  • Suiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvySuiyl_cm5_AqAh1IOq3GYd_XBRyVrqvy Posts: 4
    Thanks @Fairygirl, will do! I'll probably go conservative on the pruning in late winter/early spring as I'm a novice to gardening so don't want to get it wrong. Many thanks all.
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