Sue..it isn't uncommon to see Clematis with brown leaves as Summer is in high gear and hot!!..Yours look wonderful compared to mine right now..but I am in a much hotter zone and we've had little rain up until a few days ago...watering well is important moreso during summer than any other time of the year..the leaves loose moisture and dry up...My Clematis "Henryi" is in a lotta sun and does droop come late afternoon..I think this is one white that does appreciate a bit more shade during the hot afternoon..but IT DOES rebound and look perky for me the next morning..and I get out there and give him a good deep drink of water...as far as pinching..I wouldn't anymore...fall is around the corner and soon winter...the last thing you wish to do is encourage more growth now for the winter will only zap it..let it take it's nature cycle of getting ready to prepare for its long winter sleep...Jeanne

Hi Jeanne-

Thank you as always for your advice. Don't you think the bottom of Henryi looks pitiful? I need to find something to cover up his legs. When is the best time to move a clematis? I have a little Carnaby and my Wisley that I would like to move into more sunlight. Should I do it in the fall or wait until spring?

Thanks,
Sue

P.S. Wishing you some rain! Personally I can't wait for autumn and winter; my 2 favorite seasons!

They sound pretty tough, ay jeanne_texas? I just hope I can get my 6 planted this winter (southern hemisphere) through the comming summer heat, and indeed, humidity! If I can I'l be the only gardener for many miles around here growing clems (I'm on the border of temperate and sub-tropical, about zone 10).

My type II's look like that all over the garden. We had some weird hot spells (from 65* to 95* in one day) several times and we did hand water them above and beyond the soaker hoses but they still look like that. Every year. It is frustrating but I think it is pretty normal.

Sue...the best time to dig and move your clematis is when it is dormant..whenever that is for you?..Late winter/early Spring before it starts to bud out..for me that is February..thanks for the wish for rain for it really did help..I've had 5 straight days of rain and more slotted for the next 5 days!!..No more rain deficit for us here in my part of Texas..things are growing like weeds with all this rain and I have weeds everywhere since I've not been able to get out and work in my gardens with all this rain..it's either feast of famine ...Jeanne

Jeanne-

I am so glad you finally had some rain. I once heard someone say, "Watering your plants keeps them alive, but rain gives them life and makes them thrive!" Or something like that. I've noticed that nothing makes my garden grow better than a good soaking rainfall. Now I hope somebody out there will wish me a snowfilled winter! Nothing like a good snowfall to soothe the soul.

Sue