I meant indoors or outdoors--I wouldn't be surprised if it were a squirrel or chipmunk especially if a branch was broken. Bugs would not do that. Something that I didn't know until a few years ago when I saw it with my own eyes is that squirrels eat baby birds. In the evening so the plant won't burn from being wet--give it a spray with water and then sprinkle on cayenne pepper. The water will make the cayenne stick. One mouthful of that and he won't be back

Alina, I have seen the same thing in some of my clematis--ie the lower leaves turn paler and yellow and finally brown out. This has never been due to lack of water and I attribute it to the fact that some clematis just develop this way. Those bare legs are just a hazard with some clematis cultivars. In some plants, the older leaves are covered up by new leaves and the older ones just turn light and fall off. If the clematis in question is growing very vigorously then perhaps it could be a nutritional deficiency where the plant doesn't have access to or the ability to take up nutrients fast enough to keep up with all the new growth.

First you really need to identify what is doing this. Second you need to determine if the damage is too much for the plant, most all plants can live with some holes in the leaves. Third if there is a need to control what is causing the problem find the least toxic control you can. Fourth with due care for the rest of the environment apply that control. Fifth reevaluate what you did. There are many things that could cause holes in plant leaves, from cutter bees to sawfly larva and what to do depends on what it is.

nopets, It looks like it could be a moon flower to me. Moonflowers are much larger than your standard morning glory; but look much the same. Post one when it opens up along with the leaves if you can. Also, Steilberg, how have yours done... last post was they were up a few inches in Aug. Hope they have done well. My hubby ran over mine with the mower not long after they came up and had a little height..lol..so I will have to try again next year.. :) Have a wonderful day , whenever you guys see this post.. :)