Is this Clematis Wilt?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi All,

I have 3 separate Type 2 clematis plants that have been growing for 2-3 years. My Boulevard Fleuri clematis must have died down to the ground last winter, but it started quickly coming up from the ground this year and already had buds on it. It looked perfect a couple days ago but today is it wilted and limp.

A quick google search brings up clematis wilt. Does it happen that suddenly? I did check and it’s still attached to the ground. I’ve had rabbits help “prune” another clematis for me in the past, but I haven’t had issues since I put the cages around the bottoms. The only other thing I can think of is we did get a ton of heavy rain the last couple days. Could that have made an impact?

Is there any saving the current growth if it is clematis wilt? Tips welcome!

Pictures below showing the Boulevard Fleuri with my other two very happy clematis.

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

6 years ago

Have you checked for stem damage? That is what it looks like to me. Can be from critters or wind or careless movement by the gardener. ;>)

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
any cold event in the last few weeks???

i have seen such hit one plant.. and not the one next to it ...

maybe that corner protected the one closer to it???

i always like to rule out cultural issues before i jump to disease ...

ken
CatsCoffeePlants (Zone 5B)
Original Author
6 years ago
@ken_adrian - 35 degree night temps 10 days ago. Covered the hostas but Clems are too hard to cover on the trellis. But they looked perfectly fine after the cold. They were fine a few days ago when I went out, I was happy to see buds. Would a clematis have such a delayed reaction to the cold?
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Maybe too late to tell now but clematis wilt moves from the top of the plant downward, while stem damage starts from the damaged point and moves upward. In nether case is the problem fatal. Just cut that stem back to ground level and the plant will regenerate. It may not be immediate or even show signs of regrowing this season but if you continue to treat the vine as normal, it will come back.
CatsCoffeePlants (Zone 5B)
Original Author
6 years ago
@NHBabs - no stem damage. Stems are still firmly attached to ground. They were planted 2 or 3 years ago and haven't moved. They have cages around them so no stepping on them. ;)

@gardengal48 The whole stem is wilted. I don't recall seeing anything at the top wilted a couple days ago when I checked, looked perfect. Maybe I'll pull off the cages and see if I can see damage to the stem. They were firmly attached to the ground when I tugged gently on them to make sure a bunny didn't "help" with pruning.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Regardless of the source of the wilt, just cut back the affected stems at ground level. As stated previously, neither affliction is fatal and the vines will regenerate.
CatsCoffeePlants (Zone 5B) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
buyorsell888
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If I were you, I would cut all three down to 12" or lowest nodes and fertilize with alfalfa pellets/meal in hopes of getting more stems up from the crown.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
IME damage is rarely right at ground level, but as GG48 and BorS mentioned, just whack back and it will return this year or next.