Clematis wilt

Guernsey Donkey2

I think I have clematis wilt on three of my new large flowered clematis.  A few of the lower leaves are turning brown - wilting.  The plants have all flowered this year, so are still alive and the new shoots look healthy too.  Has anyone a remedy for this problem, will it eventually kill the plants?  Should I just cut the effect leaves off and then what?

Palustris

Wilt is a lot less common than people suppose. Easy way to tell, wilted plants die from the bottom of the plant upwards. Mechanical damage (molluscs, strimmer, gardener's foot etc.) and the plant dies from the top down. Also cut across a stem, typical wilt would show a purple stain on the inside of the stem.