Dying Clematis

John Workman

I have a Clematis Montana which for nearly ten years has thrived on an east facing fence. It has remained largely evergreen in that time and flowered well. However over the last few weeks over half the plant seems to have died off for no apparent reasons. The stems are brittle and leaves brown and dead. Any suggestions about what might be happening? Is it just coming to a natural end?

pansyface

Clematis wilt?

Busy-Lizzie

That happened to a clematis montana that I have. I thought it was dead and I cut it right down then a year or two later it grew back.

yorkshirerose

Clematis montana is usually deciduous. I think your is probably dormant now, but maybe in need of a good trim, as Busy Lizzie suggested. It should be ok, they are tough plants.

Liriodendron

Clematis stems are very brittle even when perfectly healthy.  I'd give it the benefit of the doubt until Spring.

Montana is pretty resistant to wilt. 

Busy-Lizzie

I thought I knew mine was dead as it was summer. In winter they all look rather dead.

Rubytoo

As it is only partially dead is it possible it has been inadvertently damaged at soil level?
Either roots cut or some stems at ground level broken or damaged?

Is any of it looking "wet"  or recall if it has, like it may have been rotted.
There is a slime type of rot than can affect parts or all sometimes.
Do you recall any stems looking wet or weepy?

And also as Busy Lizzie said they can recover given time.  I had one (but group two) "lost" but a couple of years later I was surprised to see it come back.
Good Luck hope yours recovers.