I doubt they are all the way dead. Clematis are very good at coming back to life, especially if properly planted deep.

Four days without water will not kill a clematis. If it does, then the plant was not properly placed in the ground initially. Continue treating the area as if you had a growing plant there and they will more than likely reappear when you least expect it.

THANK YOU>...I saw a few tiny green sprigs coming up around the top of the viticella....I think that is what they are. The root balls were huge when I planted them. I didn't strip the stem of leaves though when I planted. I just dug a deep hole and placed it in with osmocote time release , and bone meal. I will keep you posted. x fingers. c