I bought a montana wilsonii in the early May because the clematis grower said it would do well on my terrace in Vienna, Austria.

The containers weren't finished yet so all the plants spent a long time in their little pots. It had a great bloom but then its leaves started to turn a reddish bronze. Finally, two weeks ago, I could transplant it. Suddenly the leaves began to turn brown and within three days it looked completely dead despite being well watered.

From what I have read, I don't think it was wilt. The question is, if I cut it at soil level will it grow back? or was it shock that really killed it? It was also quite top heavy before it turned brown - would this have weakened it?

The Clematis Rasputin next to it is happy and sending out new shoots!

(This is my first post - why is the picture sideways?)