Wanda- very interesting since they didn't bloom during the spring either. I will look into the fertilizers you mentioned. I picked up a bag at Home Depot called ColorBurst 15-15-15(I think). Anyhow- thank you very much for your input. Kathi- You may be right! It makes sense that I am overwateting. If they are not suppose to be blooming now like Wanda mentioned, then they are not suppose to get that much water. I will definitely cut back. Thanks again, for the help.

Trish, the NW experienced an unusually dry summer followed by a very wet and blustery winter. Without a closer examination, I'd guess your armandii was experiencing some drought stress going into fall and winter. Stressed evergreens of any kind are much more vulnerable to winter damage than those that are perfectly healthy. The numerous windstorms and sharp cold spells we had are likely contributing to the brown and dead growth you see now - armandiis do not like exposed sites and heavy winds. Mine and others in the area are on the verge of flowering right now and immediately after flowering is the best time to cut these back. Wait until the middle part of next month and cut back hard. Fertilize with rose or tomato fertilizer and pay close attention to the watering during the summer. A liberal organic mulch of compost at the base will help to retain soil moisture. If all is well, it should resprout and grow rapidly. Armandiis are vulnerable to a (suspected) virus that is similar in form to anthracnose. If you see a repeat of the same symptoms after providing the above care, you may want to consider replacing it.

Hello, I have a Clematis armandii that was an incredible beauty, so green, and the blooms!!! I don't know what has happened,but towards the end of the summer it started developing brown tips and edges on some of the main vines. Over the winter it got much worse. I am trying to trim out all the dead stuff, but it looks so bare. I live in B.C. just outside of Vancouver. Does anyone else have this problem? Is it lacking in any nutrients or?? I have taken some cuttings to try and start another, because this is a favourite plant of mine. Trish

Zounds! They do not look very good, Very anemic coloring and very undersized new growth. I would cut it back hard. In fact I recommend a hard prune on any clematis type when first planted. Hard pruning serves to encourages root system development and more basal stemming. And since it takes from 3-5 years before a young clematis is established and growing and flowering as intended, an early prune is not a big deal. Looks like a lot of sun for a very shade tolerant vine. I would plant something at the base to shield the roots and make sure you give it plenty of water.