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Dying plant

andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43
in Plants
Hi can anyone help I have a very old Clematis it had given very flowers this April the trunk is very woody and is rotting in side.
What should I do? Is it worth waiting?
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  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,170
    Welcome to the forum Andrea  :)
    Do you know what variety it is ?
    I'm guessing a Montana,  if so they can be cut right back to the base and will reshoot.
    However the fact that it seems to be rotten might mean it's time is up. Personally,  l would cut it right down to the ground and see what happens. If no signs of life within a few weeks,  remove it and look on it as a new planting opportunity. 
  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43
    Thank you so much for your reply it is a Montana as you say and it does look quite dead and Rotten.  What can I put in its place  if the worse happens? It's over 25yrs old. It has a few flowers but not really going anywhere. 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,688
    I know someone who had a really old gnarly trunk just like that, and she pruned it right down and it never rejuvenated. Perhaps, there was an issue already. So be ready this may happen.

    If it's a small area, I think Clematis x Cartmanii 'Avalance' is a nice replacement. It's also evergreen if it's planted in a sheltered spot.
  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43
    It's going to have to spread across a gazebo  in time  as long as its ok to plant another clematis in the same place. 
  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43

  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43
    What do.you think?
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,688
    It should be fine for that, but if it's a large size one, the one plant may not cover the whole area. Being evergreen, it will cast shade. All depends on the look you are trying to create.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,170
    It looks very like the base of my Montana "Elizabeth" that l cut back to around a foot from the ground some years ago. It began to reshoot within weeks and was back covering the wall within 2 years.
    Personally,  l would cut it back and see what happens. I agree with @Borderline that "Avalanche" would be a good replacement  - if you have a look at page 26 of the Garden Gallery 2020 thread, you can see a photo of the one in @Suesyn 's garden. 

     I don't think that clematis are like roses, in that you can't plant another in the same place, but hopefully someone can confirm that.
    Just make sure it's planted deeply in case of clematis wilt.
  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 43
    Sorry to keep asking  but it's got a few flowers on it should I wait or cut back now? 
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