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Clematis

CatieCatie Posts: 50
in Problem solving

Hi Everyone,

I have two beautiful clematis out front. And last year, they bloomed around June time, then I deadheaded all dead flower heads and we got a beautiful second flush of flowers towards the end of summer. 

This year however, I did the same and we've had nothing. It just looks like a big brown, dry tangled mess. Why is this? I haven't done anything different? Perhaps I haven't watered as much as last year but my Grandma never waters her clematis and they are beautiful, so I just followed her lead. 

Could it be that a lack of water has prevented a second blooming? Or worse still, could they be dead?

I really hope not,

If I get chance tomorrow I shall upload some photos,

Cate 

Posts

  • CatieCatie Posts: 50

    Just to add..

    It is a Raymond Evison 'Reflections' Clematis and a Clematis 'Arabella.'

    Thanks image 

  • rosemummyrosemummy Posts: 2,010

    Hi cat is, nearly everyone her knows more than me, but I think they did need watering, clematis like cool da push roots, I protect mind round the base with slate or bark, it has been dry here , more so than usual so I think that's it, the should be fine next year

  • rosemummyrosemummy Posts: 2,010

    Sorry, flipping iPAD! Dampish is what I meant!

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Hi Rosemummy, I hate autocorrect on any type of computer or phone and always turn it off!  Here's how to do it on an iPad:

    To turn auto correct off:

    1. Navigate to Settings - General - Keyboard

    2. Touch Auto-Correction - OFF

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    All clematis are thirsty, hungry plants.   As long as theye are planted deeply enough theye don't need shaded roots but they do need food and water.    You may not have teh same good soil as grandma so I would advise you give the plants a good mulch of well rotted garden compost now and again everys pring as well as a handful of blood fish and bone around the roots in spring and a liquid feed of rose or tomato food.

    The other thing to note is that both of these are group 3s which means they need to be pruned back hard in spring to a low pair of buds on each stem once the worst of the frosts are over.  You then remove all the brown, woody stems and feed the plants as above and they should grow fresh new stems which will flower all summer.

    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

    I agree Bob - can't bear these auto correct things. I'm my only auto correct! image

    obelixx is right - plenty of food and water, especially if you've had long periods of dry weather, and correct pruning otherwise you won't get the best result from your lovely plants. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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