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Clematis was fine all winter but now dropping leaves

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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I'm a wee bit confused about the aspect here.  IME, C armandii and H petiolaris enjoy different conditions.
    For me, I have found the latter do best on an East facing aspect but as others have said, they will, when happy, become pretty robust.  They will cling to the wall - in a similar fashion to Ivy - but beyond that they will require some hefty support.
    Sorry..... not what you wanted to hear I expect but maybe time for a rethink ?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I agree.  Sheltered north or east facing wall for hydrangea petiolaris and it needs to be able to get its aerial roots into a solid wall rather than a flimsy fence tho one made of railway sleepers laid end to end may do.
    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
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited April 2023
    I'm not fond of this plant, especially on house walls where it grows huge.  I prefer to see it grown as a small shrub, this one kept 5' x 5'.. it does not need any support to cling to, and flowers profusely in early summer...  It's also south facing in a hot dryish site here..

    If you want to put it in the position you intended, then just do that, and don't concern yourself with trying to train it on the fence..


    useful for covering bins.. 
    East Anglia, England
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Marlorena That's a new one for me, I am suprised it can hold it's self up but it obviously does! I recall seeing a huge one come crashing down due to it's weight  probably 30ft tall. North facing but sheltered.

    There was one in a garden where I worked on a South facing wall, has always done well. It was originally planted by a designer who also knew their plants. It has always puzzled me how happy it is but then you can't always just follow the books.
    Roots run under the path guess it is damp and cool.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited April 2023
    I think sometimes we buy these plants without knowing where to put them... but with H. petiolaris there's more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak..

    The only thing to realise is that, its top growth veers to the north, so tends to grow at an angle..  easily trimmed to shape.. 
    East Anglia, England
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    That is really interesting @Marlorena.  I wonder if it has a magnetic attraction or solar and if it still heads north in the southern hemisphere.
    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
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It grows perfectly well here in south facing sites - walls usually.
    I just don't see the point of growing what is a beautiful climber, as a shrub, though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ivy2Ivy2 Posts: 73
    Gave the Clematis loads of water this week and it is growing from the bottom again. Probably have to prune the dead vines and have missed this year's blossom. Will keep an eye on the watering.

    It's actually really close to the drain pipe for a wooden cabin. See pic below. If a Clematis would be planted in front of the drain pipe and then grown up that wall would that be too much water for it. It's a 3x3 meter roof with all the water draining out here. The water doesn't go anywhere near the Clematis roots in current location.

  • Ivy2Ivy2 Posts: 73
    UPDATE:

    The single stem has grown back strongly (see below pic).

    Now, I plan to stress the poor thing some more by transplanting it to a new location.

    Would it be crazy to do it this time of year? I would prefer to do it ideally this weekend.

    How deep are the roots, dont want to damage the roots with my spade, how far out and how far deep should I dig? Also, when i get it out, is it ok to just dig out a ball of soil with the roots in or would it come out like a bare root? It has been dry for 10 days - should I water beforehand (obviously would do afterwards anyway).

    I will plant further along the wall where between two star jasmine (about 1meter on either side but this time I will plant the roots a good 50 cms out from the wall to promote access to rain water).

    Let me know your thoughts.


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