"One has wilt all the way up to about 2/3 of the way and then the top looks good ?! Weird"

Then you do not have clematis wilt. That is very characteristic in its progress beginning from the top of the plant down....always.

Similar looking wilt-like symptoms - dried, crispy brown (but not black like wilt produces) leaves and stems partially up the vine - are usually the result of uneven watering and the vine drying out at some point. And some cultivars are just inclined to develop "bare legs" or a similar appearance with late season dried foliage on the bottom portion of the plant.

Nice photos, btw. I seldom remember to photograph any of my plants......too many other things going on :-) Wasn't a particularly stellar year as it is only my second season in this location and all my clems are in containers. I did finally get some flowers on my Sweet Summer Love. So far I am not overly impressed but container growing of these larger vines is not ideal. I could detect no scent, but then I can also not detect any fragrance from xtriternata Rubromarginata, which bloomed right before SSL and to which it is closely related.

I was also in my old neighborhood yesterday on business and stopped to see what the old property looked like. I am sorry to say that the new owners chopped down and removed a huge cirrhosa 'Freckles' I had planted that was growing along the deck railings. Supposedly a late winter bloomer, mine seemed to produce flowers continuously throughout the year but never in a big flush. To be fair, it was a BIG evergreen, no-prune vine and consumed a fair amount of deck so probably more than they wanted to deal with.

Thank you for starting this thread and hope others chime in with their photos.

You have a beautiful clematis collection with very nice variety of flower shapes and colors. Besides the Comtesse, I noticed we also share the same vintage-style mailbox! Both my Jackmanii and Comtesse de Bouchaud had exactly the same brown leaves you describe that didn't affect their blooms at all. I also thought that it was clematis wilt but I'm relieved to learn from gardengal that this isn't necessarily the case. I would hate to loose them because they are reliable and prolific bloomers.

Here they are this year - Comtesse de Bouchaud (view from the porch)

and a close up pic:

Good ol' Jackmanii

Inspired by mnwsgal's photo of her beautiful Ville de Lyon, I acquired this VdL earlier this year:

I was disappointed the rescued Comtesse de B. didn't bloom this year. Maybe she wants out of the pot? Jackmanii did get into the ground and am I ever happy with this oldie. When the sun shines through the petals it's vibrant. Good companion for 'Lagerfeld' (lavender rose). The red bar is more prominent in photos, not so much in person.

Jackmanii just opened

" I also thought that it was clematis wilt but I'm relieved to learn from gardengal that this isn't necessarily the case. I would hate to loose them because they are reliable and prolific bloomers."

Brown leaves and a dried looking appearance at the bottom of the vine is not at all uncommon at this late time of the season. Nothing to be overly concerned about :-)

And even if it was wilt - which it is not - that affliction is rarely ever fatal!! Much of my clematis collection at my old garden (some 60 different vines) were rescued nursery returns because of clematis wilt. Should that occur, just cut the vines back and treat as normal. Nine times out of 10, the vine will return the following spring. Also established vines - at least 3 years in the ground - will seldom develop wilt if they have not done so previously. It seems only to affect younger, less established vines and even these will outgrow it after a season or two.

I'm so glad to see a picture of Jolly Good! I bought a pair to train up a new privacy screen on my deck and had trouble finding pictures of it in actual garden settings rather than the snazzy bloom photos used to sell. They grew nicely in their pots over the summer and even bloomed. My impression was the same as yours -- very cute!

A few Clematis from my garden:

Hope you like them.

Gardengal , thansk for clearing that up! I admit I got lazy watering this summer and will try to do better next . In July my Margaret hunt died all the way to the ground . It has already grown up to he top of the trellis and is in full bloom again! Spectacular clematis!

Vesfl-,I use the mailbox to hold tools in the garden . Do you? Of course I always still seem to be looking for my pruners because I forgot to put them back. Love your clematis, comptess de Bouchard is such a gorgeous color ! And you can't go wrong with jackmanii . It's a classic for a reason ! I know I planted ville de Lyon somewhere as well . Hopefully I get a fall bloom or two.

Irisgal, lovely photo of your jackmanii! It would be gorgeous near that rose. Mine is by a earth angel rose , I like the combo very much . I also rescued a clem that isn't rewarding me yet .. mrs chomondely . It was a season leftover in early spring , had so much growing on it and a bloom or two when I bought it. Only one bloom this summer so I hope for better next year. Also my white fluffy one who name escapes me hasn't bloomed either.

Glad you liked the photo wild haven! My jolly good needs moved .. I planted it close to a rose that absolutely swallows up the whole area! I need to decide soon where it goes . It was so lovely in bloom! Hope you can share your photos of it next year.

Garcana- gorgeous garden! Oh my! I haven't seen a full bloom mrs Brydon. That is beautiful! Your last photo is amazing. I so long to have that eye for mixing evergreens. I go to a nursery often who specializes in trees and beautiful specimen plants that cost a fortune and love to wonder around . Can you share more of your beds or do you post somewhere here I can look? Your style is lovely and what I want to have someday when I grow up. ;) I spend all my money on roses and honestly don't know how to incorporate evergreens into my areas at this point .

Lilyfinch, I live in an urban residential area and use it as the actual mailbox next to my house entrance. If there is a larger package, our mailman then leaves it inside the door or on the porch. Your property is much larger than mine and it's a great idea to use it for tools. It also looks very pretty as an ornament in your garden. Love that antique look. Yours is a beautiful garden and please keep the photos of your clematis and roses coming. Hope Ville de Lyon will flower for you soon as well.

Vesfla - thank you ! I will share more photos , I hope next year is special as this year a lot of new ones went in.

Garcan - I am speechless at your garden! I think it is incredibly beautiful and I really wish I had started with such lovely bones. And the curving pathway is a dream ! Your garden looks so professional.. are you ? did you start with the evergreens? Tell me your secrets and if you post on Instagram so I can tour this amazing space . :) honestly I love it and find it very inspiring!

Rooguchi is still blooming - started in July some time.

Beautiful Babs !! That's one I have to get . The color is so lovely !

Lilyfinch, thanks, and glad you enjoy the pic. Garden pictures tend to look better than reality. I am just a home gardener addicted to exploring ornamental plants and gardening. Sorry I don't post on Instagram.

Garcana ~~ I totally agree with Lilyfinch on your garden. Reminds me of childhood up north. Guess I was destined to love plants.

Beautiful pictures!

Some great pictures here of Clematis and gardens. Wondering if anyone is a Clematis seed grower which is my preferred way of getting more plants? Starting with a seedling of Clematis fremontii, a seedling of a named macropetala, and a seedling of Clematis integrifolia Tapestry.

@cmmwiebe that second clematis macropetala from seed is gorgeous, I’m going to need to try this.

cmmwiebe, I often collect seed and have tried (once or twice) to grow it (large flowering), but apparently it can be a long wait for the large flowered types (?).

Once collected, dried and stored, how long might lg flwr type mature seed be good? I imagine viability drops off with time.

My understanding is that seed viability is short but I am no expert. I was able to germinate a Clematis viorna this winter from about 3 year old seed. Keeping seed in a colder storage not frozen might help. I use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of vermiculite in a baggie with about 30 mls water and I am getting germinations over time. Too wet causes them to mold or rot so watch the amount of water. There is good info online if you Google it. Some species take a warm, cold cycle and others just at warm. Keep trying but realize you won't get the exact same plant from the hybrids with open pollinated seed.