"ooha" wrote in
:

I have planted three clematis vines in the back yard two years
ago. First year they were doing fine and growing a bit. Second
year - I was sick and was in the hospitals all summer. This year-
the trellis fell apart from wind and the three plants were on the
ground when I walked out early spring. I have put in a better
trellis and tried to "hoist" the plants. They look ugly now with
lots of 'brown spots" on leaves and very few leaves. I want to
rescue these vines since they are among the few that survived my
complete neglect last summer.
Can I prune them and re plant in a better area of the garden with
better soil? Or do I have to lift them with all the ugly leaves
and all? Cincinnati- ZONE 5/6.



Two years ago this month, I had some major construction work done
around the house (basement waterproofing). For at least five days,
the contractors' compressor blew hot exhaust right onto a well-
established clematis and burned it to a crisp. Only a few leaves
remained near ground level. I cut off everything that was burnt and
decided to wait till spring. It actually started to grow back! This
year it looks pretty good, but not quite where it was. Next year
should be fine.

I've been able to rescue some other clematis that have been equally
neglected. My experience is that they will survive, though you may
have to wait a year or two.

Jim
Zone 6
Niagara