In article , says...

"Bob Hobden" wrote ...
One of our Clematis, "Blue Ice", has died back just as it was filling out
the position I put it in to cover. Is there anything I can do to promote
new growth or do I just trust in the fact that I planted it deeper in the
ground than it was in the pot and hope for regrowth from the stems below
ground level.

Thanks all.
So it's "wait and see", I'm good at that. :-)
Shame, it was looking beautiful and healthy, lots of large flowers and buds
and suddenly limp and lifeless.


Bob although "wilt" often gets the blame it often happens after the
weather turns rougher after a nice spell and is down to mechanical
damage. It is very rare for clematis to die from these events whatever
the cause. and despite the fact that the wilt fungus "can" cause wilting
it is air born and does not live in soil so it is perfectly possibly to
replant in the future. However the wisdom of planting in a place where a
clematis has failed to get going is another matter!
Although a relatively new variety Blue Ice is a group 2 clematis and has
already formed a reputation as a wilter. I suspect it will be one that
gives problems for a few years then settles down.
Heavy watering in Late May early June can help as it reduces the stress
on the plant as it approuches flowering. It is for instance almost
unheard of for plants in pots on the nursery to wilt due to being
protected from wind and having a regular water supply.
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea