Whats the best way to grow clematis?

i have clematis montana fragrant spring ive planted it in the ground put a weed control sheet on top and stones around the base the leaves look quite dark and the ends a bit shrivelled whats the best thing to do and how big does this type get

Whats the best way to grow clematis?
The key to clematis' growth is keeping the root area cool. as long as the stones aren't a dark color, which attracts heat, that should be ok.





There is a specific "rot" that clematises get but i do not know the exact name of it. I would check out www.bhg.com for more information. (that is better homes and garden's website).
Reply:Stones and/or the weed control sheet might be heating up during the day if they are getting sun and they might be cooking the roots. Otherwise I think it might be planted a tad on the shallow side and not staying moist enough as a result. Depending on your zone, the will regrow from the top or from the roots each year - in either case, each year the roots will get larger and stronger, so the regrowth will be longer and mor vigorous. If you fertilize it, it will grow more rapidly during the year and produce more blooms if you use a flowering plant fertilizer. Dark leaves are OK, but the shriveled part is not.