I have a Cometessa de Bouchard clematis that I bought at a local nursery last year and planted it in fall. Its been growing beautifully and put up a lot of nice big flowers. I did notice that something is eating up the leaves on the clematis and there were some black spots on some leaves. But the blooms were still beautiful and there are still buds on the plant. But, these new flowers seem to be smaller than the first set of flowers; they are maybe half the size now.

I havent given the clematis any fertiliser except for some manure and alfalfa pellets in spring and have been watering it somewhat regularly. I have not sprayed the plant with anything either. Should I be spraying for the black spot? Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? And why the blooms are smaller?

Thanks

Mo