I am so sick of clematis. I give up!

9 years ago

Lost my beautiful Niobe after it was there for years. Almost all mine, planted in different places around my yard, get that wilt thing where (most of) the leaves eventually turn brownish/black. I end up cutting the whole plant down, and it does grow back, but not in enough time to bloom again. I might get one episode of some blooms but that's it. I've lost many plants in past years. And they are expensive to buy...... The pictures of all those beautiful clematis vines with tons of flowers on are so tempting but I sure can't reproduce the same results. I'm in zone 5a. Very frustrating!!!!

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Maybe you should try one of the wilt resistant types, typically species clematis or those hybrids very closely related to species. These all tend to be pruning group 3 clems and include the viticellas, texensis, tanguticas, SAC (Clematis terniflora) and any of the herbaceous or non-vining types.

And it is also important that the vine be planted properly in well draining soil and with a generous planting hole. And plant so that the stems are buried about 2-4" below soil grade. Supply plenty of water for the first season and cut back hard in late winter.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
Niobe is one I have had a difficult time with. It regularly gets wilt.

GG highlighted the issues that can effect the health of clematis: varieties, soil and how they are planted. Try some of the type 3 prune clematis such as Jackmaii, Ville de Lyon, Venosa violacea and other viticella hybrids. I've also had good growth with texensis hybrids such as Gravetye Beauty or Princess Diana. Around here, many nurseries are more likely to carry type 2 prune plants since they can be blooming when most people are buying plants, but the type 3 (summer blooming) plants are much easier to grow IME.
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Marlene Schmidt
8 years ago
Agree with Babs. Niobe has been weak for me, almost gone this year after about 5 years of mediocre results.

Warsaw Nike, Ville de Lyon, Rouge Cardinal, Ernest Markham, Barbara Harrington, Madame Correvon, are lovely and easier to grow.
sue
Original Author
8 years ago
thank you. My niobe was so pretty, loved the color and it did bloom well most years, until it died, and I can't figure out why. I am tempted to get another one just because the flowers are so special, but based on comments here,(and how expensive clematis are) I'll certainly consider others, I just want that color. Its so special.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
In addition to the ones that Marlene gave you, some red to dark red to red-purple ones that I grow and like (and are type 3) include Mikelite, Carmencita, Kermensia, Avant-Garde, and Gravetye Beauty.

Additional ones to look at include Allanah, Rosemoor, Serenata, Burning Love (AKA Vitiwester), Monte Cassino, and Voluceau.

None look exactly like Niobe, and some have really different flower form, but it's worth checking them out. Photos often have different colors than the plants in reality, so if there is a nursery or public garden or a friend that has clematis you can visit, go look at them in person. Often the smaller flowered plants have huge numbers of flowers even if each flower is smaller.

I am so sick of clematis. I give up!

Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

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Marlene Schmidt

sue
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I am so sick of clematis. I give up!

Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

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Marlene Schmidt

sueOriginal Author

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sue
Original Author