On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 19:49:49 +0000, DigitalVinyl wrote:

Last year I successfully grew one clematis. A Polish Spirit. I haven't
cut it at all, just let all the leaves die on the vine. After winter a
lot of leaves are dried in place. I remember the clematis had very
delicate, brittle wood when it was growing.

How can you tell this is still viable wood vs. dead wood? (it looks so
dead!)

I can't see damage, but other vines have died off from very tiny
damage. Do you just wait it out?

When do clematis first show life? After frost date?



DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
1st Year Gardener


I cut my clematis back to 3" above soil line. It grows back vigorously
every year. Clematis should come alive when the weather warms. Look at
the crown for new shoots. If the crown has turned to mush, that's it for
the plant.

You may already know this, clematis like cool feet but sun on the
branches. Shade the roots/crown for best performance. Also, clematis are
not water plants, i.e., they do not take kindly to poorly drained soils or
wet feet.