chain link too hot for clematis? (Z7b VA)

11 years ago

Been nursing underperforming clematis for several yrs (don't know what kind, gorgeous purple blooms). It's been in a shady spot (couple hrs morning sun only). Never grew much (maybe couple ft. ea. yr.) but did get covered in lots of blooms every June & always looked healthy. I figured short growth was due to shade. Lost large shade tree from storm damage 2 summers ago, which opened up different part of yard to full sun. Moved clematis last spring into sun thinking it could grow on chain link fence and would like the sun. It grew the same couple feet but only a couple blossoms. I figured it was because of transplanting and just needed a year to adjust. This summer it hasn't grown hardly at all. Just a few new leaves and couple of the old vines have green shoots. I included my hand in the pic for scale so you can see how small it is. 2nd pic shows the [very little] new growth on some of the old vines. Is maybe the metal fence is too hot for it to grow? We've been in the 90s for a while now (which is above normal - I think we're usually more like mid-80s for May/June). The fence is hot to the touch during the day. I heavily mulched the base to try to keep the roots cooler, about 3-4 inches shredded bark. I'm in northern VA, 7b.

some new growth on old vines

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DC 8a
Original Author

11 years ago

Since it's always blossomed heavily for years (even though not growing very large, presumably from the shade), and what did grow was lush, whatever the variety is, I assumed it would grow big and with more vigor in the full sun. Soil is good - drains well, amended. It's been getting 1-2" rain water each week - June has been record rain here.

I think it might be the "what's nearby" factor. It's on the fence line with the neighbor, who has a lawn service and I have no idea what they're treating on the other side of the fence. Their lawn goes right up to the fence - the clematis is only 2 inches away from the edge of their lawn.

I'll just leave it be and see if it does anything in the next year or two. Would be a shame if it languishes there. Even though it didn't grow huge each year, it was always very lush and bountiful with blooms in it's old shady spot. I got "greedy" and wanted more than 2-3' - I wanted the "flower wall" on the fencing. I should have just left it where it's been all these years.

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Comments (7)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Clems grow freely on wire or metal screens and trellises, which also have the potential for getting quite hot in sun, so doubt that is the issue. Perhaps it was just set back a bit by the unnaturally cold winter much of the east coast experienced.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
Mine grow just fine on dark metal in full sun, even when temperatures are well into the 90's, so I also doubt that this is the issue.

The variety can effect size and vigor.

What is the soil like?

Does anyone use weed and feed nearby? Some of the foliage looks pretty stunted.

Does it get regular water?

I'd give it good care this summer and see how it does for the next couple of years. Clematis often take a couple of years to recover from being moved, and if you had really cold temperatures with no snow, that may have killed any dormant buds last winter.
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
If there are no weeds on the neighbor's side of the fence, I would move the clematis. The lawn service probably uses a weed and feed and the clematis won't like the weed part of that (ie an herbicide for broad-leafed plants.)
DC 8a
Original Author
11 years ago
So transplant it two years in a row? Not too much shock?
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
I agree that the foliage does look as if it might have suffered herbicide damage. It's very distorted.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
"Not too much shock?"

Well, if the alternative is the clematis being killed by the herbicide that appears to be in use next door, there doesn't seem to me to be an alternative.

When you move it, water it in well, give it mulch and perhaps shade from a lawn chair or something similar if it is in full sun, and hope that it recovers. I would not plant anything else along the fence line other than daffodials, lilies, and other similar bulbs and ornamental grasses, etc that are monocots (same general group as lawn grass) and forget about trying to plant dicots (most perennials, shrubs, and trees) where they will be damaged or outright killed by the herbicide.

You can try asking the neighbor or the lawn service, but as floral said, the foliage distortion is the clue that made me guess herbicide damage; not much else will cause that IME.