Clematis 'Daniel Deronda'

Dovefromabove

Some of you may remember that when I retired (over 4 years ago now!) a special young person (now sadly passed away) gave me a Clematis 'Daniel Deronda' for my garden because she loved purple. 

Initially I planted it in the front garden on a west facing trellis where it was in shade until around midday ... but after a couple of years it just didn't seem to be happy and looked as if it was on the way out ... I felt that perhaps the soil was too free-draining there so I dug it up and potted it (nice and deep) and have been giving it lots of tlc in a sheltered spot on the terrace ... again, shade for half the day ... initially it romped away but even with re-potting in nice nutritious stuff it's only ever had one stem.

Today I've planted it out nice and deep in good soil against a west facing fence to see if it's happier there ... it's only been pruned lightly apart from its first year when I cut it back to about 18".

What can I do to encourage it to produce more stems and look happy? It has two flower buds but it always looks a bit pathetic as if nobody loves it.  

Beaus Mum

I was always told to put gravel/stones around the bottom of the stem where you have planted 

Beaus Mum

Beaus Mum said:

I was always told to put gravel/stones around the bottom of the stem where you have planted 

Maybe this should be put on the myth thread 😂 but I’m sure Dove clematis like to stay cool 😊

Fire

It is on the myth thread. Lol. Cool, damp feet. But Obelixx just says cool damp feet and head in the sun is not a good rule of thumb.

Beaus Mum

I don’t think doves will be in full sun ☀️ 

Lyn

I think that sometimes plants are just not suited a certain garden. If I've tried all I can and it it doesn’t respond, it’s not meant to be. 
I have never been one for just piling feed on plants in hopes of getting them to grow. 

Valley Gardener

Oh dear,I've just bought that Clematis,it was over ten quid so I hope it will be ok.It's planted at the base of the arch,very deep,with large pebbles covering the bottom stems,so although it's south east with sun most of the day,the roots are cool. I will inspect it frequently.

Dovefromabove

Lyn said:

I think that sometimes plants are just not suited a certain garden. If I've tried all I can and it it doesn’t respond, it’s not meant to be. 
I have never been one for just piling feed on plants in hopes of getting them to grow. 

I've a feeling that might be the case with this one Lyn ... if it doesn't pull it's socks up this year it will find itself being replaced with something more willing to perform 

Fairygirl

It didn't thrive for me either Dove - they don't seem to make big growth, but stay bushier. Mine had plenty of water, and a west facing location, and everything it should have needed to be happy - but it was never happy. I hoiked it out the following year. It's the only clematis I've had which hasn't done well.

I never put gravel/slates/ rocks round the base of clematis. Might as well put up a sign to the slug and snails - 'free dinner this way'.....

Dovefromabove

I think it may have to go ... I've lost my heart to this one  http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/Clematis-Morning-Heaven.html 

Valley Gardener

Oh heck!!