What am I doing wrong?

Slow-worm · January 2023

I have 3 Jingle Bells clematis plants, two here on a NE facing wall, one on a south facing fence. They grow well in spring but all go like this from summer onwards - this is the first year I've left them to their own devices and they're flowering as you can see, but as a clematis virgin I don't know what I'm doing wrong here. The soil is quite good, alkaline, can dry in summer so I water them - their feet are in light shade. The garden is sheltered and we do get the wind blowing over the wall side, but the fence is solid where the other one is. Any help appreciated!

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Pete.8 · January 2023

It's quite crowded at ground level.
Your clematis is having to compete with the roots from what looks like foxgloves and toadflax that are within inches of the stem.
The foxgloves (and other plants around it) will be taking valuable nutrients and water from the soil.
If you can clear the area of plants about 2 ft around the clematis it'll help a lot.
Each spring a good thick mulch of rotted farmyard manure of some sort will give it a good tonc.

It's also planted too close to the wall, but not much you can do about that now.

Slow-worm · January 2023

Thanks Pete. The foxgloves only came up last year, the clematis had free range for two years previously. Could I cut them back after flowering and move them, or would I damage the roots too much?

Pete.8 · January 2023

I've had clematis in my garden but never tried to move one.
I did dig one out years ago and the following year found that a bit of remaining root must have sprouted as a new plant appeared, so it's likely you can, but see what others think first.
There are lots of clematis growers on the forum.

Slow-worm · January 2023

I'd only be able to move them further away from the wall as there's nowhere else for them, but I do like sprouts. 😉

Obelixx · January 2023

Your Jingle Bells is a group 1 clematis so you can, if you wish, prune it as soon as flowering finishes then feed it generously and train new growth more horizontally and diagonally to increase flower power.

Even if you don't prune it, feeding, mulching and training it will help no end as will reducing competition at its roots. Watering in dry spells will also help.

GardenerSuze · January 2023

I grew a group one alpina many years ago great when in flower but scruffy for the rest of the year. Think it suffered in a similiar way in that it was probably too dry at the roots as summer progressed. I did try cutting it back for a few years after flowering but it lost it's vigour.

Slow-worm · January 2023

Thanks Obelixx, I'll do that.
I don't think they were thirsty because the tops wouldn't survive, but I will feed them.

Fairygirl · January 2023

The winter Group 1s don't need a lot of moisture, as they should get enough from the general conditions, but it's certainly very tight to the wall. The small flowered early ones also prefer poor soil and drier, well drained conditions, and a bit of shelter, so if the wall's a bit exposed, that might also be a factor. I haven't grown this one though, as I don't have a suitable site for it. Many of those winter ones are speckly flowered which I don't like too, so I go for the slightly later ones - alpinas etc.
I grow all my G1s in raised beds to counteract the wet, but I've also moved clematis without any problem, especially if they haven't been in too long.
I wouldn't feed just now though. Wait until it's flowered, then do the pruning, a little feeding, and some careful mulching - don't bury it.

bédé · January 2023

If you just removed the dead stems it would make a big difference.

As for the weed competition, something gentle like Malt Vinegar sprayed just on the weeds whist shielding the clematis.

punkdoc · January 2023

WHAT, surely you are joking???

What am I doing wrong?

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