Kitchen Garden Forum

A clematis plant I bought a few weeks ago has suddenly turned brown and died within the last two weeks after flowering well. I'm aware there is a disease called "clematis wilt" but my other clematis plants are all thriving. Can anybody explain what the symptoms of this disease are and whether this is what might have caused the problem. If I replace it, will the disease remain in the soil and kill any replacement clematis I plant?

Dear Primrose, you didn't say what type of Clematis is affected. It is normally Jackmanii that are affected by Clematis wilt, but it can sometimes affect Montanas as well.
As the name implies the stems just start to wilt very rapidly for no apparant reason.
Planting the clematis deeper than it was in the pot helps, because you can cut the wilted shoots off, and it will more than likely re-shoot from below ground level.

After saying all this i'm not so sure this is the problem you have.
I think i would be inclined to cut it back and see if it does re-shoot, if it doesn't you could try and get a refund.

Hi Primrose,
If you cut it back no nursery will give you a refund so I would take it back exactly as it is. ASAP.
JB.

I've taken Johnboy's advice, dug it up and taken it back to the garden centre who made a lot of fuss and bother but eventually gave me a refund. It was a Dr. Ruppel (Jackmanii type.) I asked if they had an expert who could examine it and tell me whether it was clematis wilt as I didn't want to plant a replacement in the same location if it was, but as it usual in most of these places they were only employing youngsters who had no technical knowledge. I had planted it quite deeply so suspect I might be wiser not to plant a replacement there for 12 months unless somebody can suggest anything I can do to "cleanse" the soil.

Hi Primrose
I find this happens to our clematis plants too without any apparent reason. It does sound like clematis wilt. It seems to strike with complete randomness as we have just planted three varieties next to each other and the middle one has succumbed while the other two are fine, just inches away! This makes me wonder if certain varieties are more prone to it. If not all the plant is affected it can sometimes be saved by cutting the affected bit away.
Sorry not to offer any more constructive advice but we find it a very hit and miss problem!
June