I'm about ready to give up. Everyone has one plant or so that everyone else grows successfully but you just can't, right? Well, clematis is mine. (Fuschia too, but that's a different story.)

I really tried. I got two wonderful clematis from nurseries this summer. I planted one in absolute full, unrelenting Virginia summer sun. I was sure to plant deeply and mulch well, so to keep the roots cool. I even put a rock over the ground, to try to give it some respite from heat. The other one also gets sun, but is a little more part shade. I had little choice as my neighbor's beech tree is shading part of my yard that used to be full sun. I'd love to knock that tree down.

Despite my love and care, the plants are not growing well. In fact, they almost look like they're drying....except I water often and this is Virginia which means we get quite a lot of summer drenching thunderstorms almost daily. It's been so damp this summer my grass is growing mushrooms.

Please, any help you can give me, please do.