Help with an evergreen Clematis?

Question

I have an evergreen Clemitis which is loosing it's leaves and looking generally unhappy. any Ideas what is wrong with it. It did this 2 years ago and almost recovered in spring. Not been looking good since.

Answer 1

An evergreen clematis can lose its leaves at any time of year but particularly now that the weather is cooling. I would feed it a bit now with something high in potash like tomato or rose food. Put a good mulch around the base of the plant and then prune it back a bit in spring - leave some good healthy strong stems and take out the weaker ones. This pruning should encourage new growth, and you can also feed the plant again.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Clematis armandii is evergreen but it will lose some of it's leaves at this time of year.

The stems can be very brittle so will need to be tied in well to prevent damage from winter winds.

Prune hard in March and feed regularly during the growing season to keep the plant happy and healthy. Clematis are generally very greedy but be careful not to overfeed as well.

Answer 3

They need a cool, moist root sytem - try not to plant too shallow or where the sun hits the soil all day. You could try mulching. Cutting back then replanting (deeper and/or in a different position) might help.

Answer 4

have you trimmed it down at all. never heard of an evergreen version. i just cut down to about a foot above the ground. have you fed and watered it this year? dont know where you live.

Answer 5

that pruning should happen after the flowers are done blooming..... anything strange in your weather?.. drought, etc?... too much rain?... a blanket now of good compost will help it thru the winter and give it a boost in spring, too....