Climbing iceberg rose and Clematis John Paul II question

jaffacakes

Hi all, back for more advise  Hope you can help.

I planted a climbing iceberg rose from lidl last autumn. It has put on a bit of growth (about 1 to 1.5 meters). It looks healthy but now i am thinking it doesn't look like iceberg at all in leaf colour and there seems to be some kind of strange suckering flowers only at the base. They still come off the main stem though. They don't form buds like proper iceberg rose and look wild 

The other query is related to Clematis John Paul II. Also bought in Lidl. It has grown like crazy to 7 foot but no flowers at all and there seems to be something eating the leaves. Is this earwigs? I know i have ants in the garden too? Maybe it's nothing to be concerned about. I guess i might not get flowers this year either as it's quite young.

Many thanks for any advice.

jaffacakes

ah photos down again

jaffacakes

Maybe this will work

www.ibb.co/iiySPa
https://ibb.co/c4EOxv
https://ibb.co/d7jOxv
https://ibb.co/hjLwHv
https://ibb.co/cOkVcv

Last edited: 04 July 2017 22:35:33

jaffacakes

Fairygirl

Slugs and/or snails. They love a tasty bit of clem foliage.

jaffacakes

Ah really Fairygirl? I thought it might be something else because a lot of holes in middles of leaves too. I definitely have some slugs though because the hostas on other side of garden look dreadful.

Fairygirl

That's the most likely culprit. They're very persistent! You might have other things taking a nibble too, but slugs are the usual. If you go out at dusk, you might find a few there. It's surprising how they'll keep coming back and having a go. 

If the plants are healthy enough, it doesn't really bother them, but it's a bit unsightly, and a nuisance early on in the year if they get some of the stems. I don't like using pellets, but it's often the only way of protecting plants in spring when new growth starts in earnest.  It really infuriates me when you get a whole stem of new foliage dying back!

jaffacakes

Thanks Fairygirl. I'll keep an eye out to try catch them. I've loads of pots nearby so plenty of hiding spaces too