They may not have made it through the rocks or they may have. Hard to say. There is no need to shade the roots. Just keep them well watered.

I've always been told to put a rock there to keep the roots cool. Is that not right? Of course all my rocks are now scooted away because I'm scared of where new growth may come up from, but still.

The great clematis debate: do they really like a cool root run?

We hear it all the time, but what it means is that clematis like evenly moist soil; not to wet, not too dry. Dry soil heats up faster while the moisture helps keeps it cooler. Mulch or a stone helps conserve moisture.

I would check the ground where you removed the stone. The roots could be very near the surface and susceptible to damage or drying out.

I have never mulched or covered my roots in anyway, and they do very well despite the lack of mothering.
tammy

I'm with Tammy. I don't do anything special with my roots, just make sure my clems get enough water, and they do great.

Plant Clems deeper than they are in their nursery pots and mulch them to conserve moisture in the soil but putting a big flat rock over the rootball is not necessary. Rocks actually heat up in the sun....if not planted deep you could cook the roots.

Commercial growers of Clematis grow them in black pots out in full sun. They don't shade the roots.

Some plant collector one time probably saw a Clematis growing up through a shrub where it's seed was dropped by a bird and assumed all Clematis must have shaded rootzones.....

I have sedum growing around the base of roses and clematis. Even though they are dry tolerant, they do fine with all the water those plants need, shade the roots (though I am not sure why) and best of all... keep they weeds from growing. Thats reason enough to plant it.

Buyorsell, I always THOUGHT that about rocks cooking the roots! But everything I've read said to put it there.

Sedum is a wonderful idea. I've got it growing everywhere else, why not at the base of clematis?

I know that clematis like water and all, but I can promise you guys that I have some of them that have never gotten one drop of supplemental water - and around here it can get up to a 100 for 2 months in a row with no rain - and those clematis live and grow and bloom their fool heads off each year. That's one reason I love them.

I got a nice surprise last night while looking thru my garden too. And, you guys are right! I had transplanted a clematis and it just continued to look awful. So, you all recommend on this site, just cut it back. So, I did about five weeks ago. It has looked "dead as a doornail" since. Until last night! I have found three vines about 3-4" tall shooting up like rockets. I'm so pleased as this was one of my favorites and my first to have planted years ago. Whoo-Hoo!