What is wrong with my clematis armandii?

Richarddan

I had my garden renovated last summer and all plants are doing well. My clematis was health and spreading nice and quickly. I was away for a week and came back to find my irrigation system had failed to water this plant and all the leaves were shriveling.

I suspect this is the problem but have been watering for a few days now and it is not showing any signs of life.

There is new life at the bottom but the taller parts are getting worse  Is this a lack of water or something else? What should I do to revive it? 

Thanks in advance 

Borderline

I think you need to be a bit more patient with the situation and continue to water your plant. When watering, water directly into the roots area slowly and in the evening/night time to get the best. You may cut away the dried up parts too.

My main concern is the position it is planted in. The roots seems to be very close to the fence. This will mean rain water will unlikely hit that spot unless there is a huge down pour. Also, consider the plant maturing, there will be another shadow from the leaves. That alone will also create a shadow and the root area will be dry.

The soil also looks like it needs conditioning with more compost/manure or with some kind of thick mulch of your choice. This plant is a long-term plant that needs a well prepared base for it to be able to thrive. 

Papi Jo

I hope I'm wrong but it looks like your clematis is dead or dying. I've lost 2 C. Armandii and vouch to never grow them again.

Richarddan

Borderline said:

I think you need to be a bit more patient with the situation and continue to water your plant. When watering, water directly into the roots area slowly and in the evening/night time to get the best. You may cut away the dried up parts too.

My main concern is the position it is planted in. The roots seems to be very close to the fence. This will mean rain water will unlikely hit that spot unless there is a huge down pour. Also, consider the plant maturing, there will be another shadow from the leaves. That alone will also create a shadow and the root area will be dry.

The soil also looks like it needs conditioning with more compost/manure or with some kind of thick mulch of your choice. This plant is a long-term plant that needs a well prepared base for it to be able to thrive. 

Thanks form the response. Will make sure I keep at it. Is there a chance them leaves will survive or would you suggest cutting them away?

With regards to the soil, this has been on my to do list for a while now. Im not a fan of mulching as i don't think it looks great. What would you suggest as an alterbative? 

Richarddan

philippa smith2 said:

Even just a good covering of an evergreen perennial ( I find the Campanula carpatica is ideal ) would do the job but if it is a new plant, you need to prepare the ground thoroughly before planting and keep it watered in these hot spells.

Good shout. Are there any other recommendations for ground cover? The soil is clay based if that helps. 

Borderline

I suggest to cut them away. Your plant is young, and you can afford to prune them down low and now concentrate on getting the soil conditions better for the roots to grow into. If you can get a few bags of compost and work that into the surrounding areas, and then gently turn the soil a bit near the surrounding areas, that will be a start.

Continue to put new compost or well rotted manure every year, preferably in early spring time, and I'm sure the soil will gradually improve making it far more manageable for you and also your plants.