Clematis leaves

Enthusiasticamateur89 · June 2023

Hi everyone I'm after a bit of advice,

I have a clematis that I planted at the beginning of the year, it grew well and it's still growing albeit with no flowers at the moment.

I noticed today that the bottom leaves are turning brown whilst the top leaves are still a healthy green. With not having a clematis before I'm not sure if this is something to worry about or whether it's down to care (lack of water, to much water, pest or something else).

It's positioned in a good sunny spot with a stone mulch to keep its roots cool.

Is there anything I can do of am I worrying about nothing.

Thanks in advance 🙂.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/9x/42195zp4bo1g.jpg

Fairygirl · June 2023

It's perfectly normal for lower leaves to die off, but I'd move all those stones away.
Gravel heats up, so it's doing the opposite of what you're trying to do.
However, it's also a myth about using stones/gravel to keep roots cool . What's needed is a deep root run for these clematis, so that they can access moisture if conditions get dry. You achieve that by planting more deeply than in the pot it came in, and watering very well every few days [depending on your conditions] until properly established, to encourage those roots to go down and not stay near the surface. It also means they'll produce more shoots from below ground as the plant grows. Plenty of good organic matter, especially on planting, is also very beneficial, but you can add more layers of that on a regular basis too

If it's very close to that fence, that can also be a problem as it's often drier in that kind of site.

Enthusiasticamateur89 · June 2023

👍 thanks, I'll move the stones, my thinking was light stones would reflect the heat and keep it cooler. It's planted in a bottomless raised planter so can get a good root system going.

Thanks again and I'll go and move the stones now. 🙂

Lyn Plant-Wells · June 2023

Generally, clematis like their roots in shade and their heads in sun.

blacksweetrolls · June 2023

Browning leaves can be caused by a few things (over/under-watering, pests, etc.), so it's definitely worth investigating. Is the soil damp when you check? Keep an eye out for any pests, and maybe try moving it to a spot that gets some windier and has better drainage. Other than that, I'm sure it'll be fine - good luck!

Fairygirl · June 2023

I'm sorry but that's also a total myth @Lyn Plant-Wells. If that was the case, there would be no varieties which happily grow/flower in shade. They happily scramble through trees and shrubs, which is their natural habit

In most cases, browning foliage low down is very little to worry about. The right soil conditions, adequate watering and food, are the key factors. The aspect can be important as many don't like too much exposure, but most Group 2s are fairly accommodating in that regard.

Enthusiasticamateur89 · June 2023

blacksweetrolls said:

Browning leaves can be caused by a few things (over/under-watering, pests, etc.), so it's definitely worth investigating. Is the soil damp when you check? Keep an eye out for any pests, and maybe try moving it to a spot that gets some windier and has better drainage. Other than that, I'm sure it'll be fine - good luck!

When I removed the chippings the soil was quite wet, I had been watering it regularly, I just hope I haven't killed it. I've got no wilt and the top looks healthy still so 🤞 it'll pick up.

It is in a little bit of a windy spot, not strong wind but enough to hopefully help dry it out. It's in a raised timber planter with access to soil beneath and I put decentish soil in when it was planted so drainage shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I'll monitor it over the next few weeks.

Thanks

Clematis leaves

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