Does it start at the bottom and work up? If so suspect not enough water.

If it starts at the ends and works down? Clematis Wilt. A common annoying problem that they usually outgrow.

The treatment for both is to cut out all the dead stuff as close to the ground as possible.

Thank you, buyorsell888. It starts at the bottom for the most part. I don't think it can be a lack of water after all the rains and flooding we've had this year. (Iowa..along the Mississippi) Until recently I have been trying to keep all the dead stuff cut out. At the rate it's going, there won't be anything left by the end of the season.

Be Safe, Rach

We had a lot of rain too, not like Iowa, but enough that I didn't have to water for a long time. I heard that despite all the rains in Iowa, there are areas that need rain now because the surface is dry.

Last year I had almost no browning out on the lower part of the plants. We were in a drought and I was watering all the time. This year we had ample rain so I didn't water the clematis. Those along the fence were showing signs of not getting enough water even though everything else in the garden was getting plenty of rain. All the other plants in my garden looked fantastic, the lawn is still bright green and even the hostas look amazing. If I didn't know better, you'd almost think it was still spring.

I have clematis along a fence like in your photo. I think that the fence affects how the rain falls on the ground at the foot of the fence. Depending on the direction of the rain, maybe half the clematis roots receives enough moisture, but the other half stays somewhat dry? Just a guess, but it's the only thing that makes sense.

I'm going to clean them out...again, and start watering more, and more often. Even the ones in the middle of the yard are doing the same thing so I don't think location is really the problem. They have been in these same locations for several years now. Thanks for the help.

Be Safe, Rach

Check for a few of things while you are cleaning up the vines:

Is any mulch piled around the bases of stems.

Is there a lot of one kind of insect at the base.

Have you dug in the area, away from plant roots of course, to check how moist the soil is? We had flooding a few years ago and I was surprised how fast the soil dried out.

When you water, watch if the water runs off the surface before it can soak in. If it does, gently scratch the surface of the soil to break up it up a little. Also, water deeply. I typically use 2-3 watering cans full or fill a 5 gallon pail with water and pour that slowly around the plant. Then I do it again in a couple of days if the soil is on the dry side.

You're doing all the things I do, fish emulsion, etc. Phostogen, the experts say, is very good for clems. Fish emulsion is great to establish roots. How often do you water? Are you going through a dry spell? Lots of factors to consider here.

I have a few that are more in direct sun, so it gets quite hot , and they started browning at the bottom. I water, but it doesn't make any difference. I think once it gets dried out, and you don't always notice as the plant still looks good. It used to be that clems loved full sun, but I have discoverd these past few years that they prefer half a day of sun as those plants are performing well. I have other clems that only get light, no direct sun, and they did well this year. Go figure, just an unpredictable plant!!!

A couple of thoughts here: first, fish emulsion is typically high in nitrogen, which helps establish green growth (leaves), not roots. But sometimes the viticellas just brown at the bottom, even though the vine is fine. Just something one has to live with.

Thanks for all the imput I've gotten here. I'm in the process of cleaning out the dead sections and hopefully will have much better luck with them again.

Be Safe, Rach

Yeah, Michael, you're dead right, my error, what I meant to say is seaweed - a product of the ocean but distinct from any nitrogen rich fertiliser such as fish emulsion! (Fertiliser) concentrates rich in seaweed contain natuallly occuring growth stimulants, such as potassium and other trace elements. In Aus. a product known as 'Seasol' is recommended as a growth stimulant (rich in seaweed extract), as safe for such delicate subjects as Australian natives; acid lovers; and pretty well every other plant. I use it on my (newly planted) clematis' and they (seem to) love it. Good luck.