Why does Clematis leaves turn black?Should I remove them?

Clematis have flowered nicely over last few weeks but now they look almost dead.

Why does Clematis leaves turn black?Should I remove them?
After flowering period is over dried flowers should be cut off followed by little pruning which is must for the new growth and to prevent the plant from being weak. Then apply fertilizer which contains phosphorous more. Due to application of phosphorous containing fertilizer the roots of plants become strong then it can absorb nutrients and trace elements very easily which are available. Actually the plant get weak after flowering and fruiting, so this fertilizer promotes the growth and prevent it from being worse.


Note: If you find any disease on your plant take the infected leaves to the garden center to get a particular pesticide for the specific disease.
Reply:They are going into their dormat stage.
Reply:Wilt is what you have there! A problem that occurs with Clematis plants caused by either a fungus or bacterial infection around the root area and then causes the main plant to turn black and wilt. Leaving the plant to look dead and only worth for the compost heap. On this last note don't dig the plant up.


Hard prune the plant to about 30cm (1') and drench the roots with a fungicide like Bayer Fungus Fighter.


The plant will recover and re-shoot from the base area.


Once it does feed every 10-14 days with CHEMPAK Clematis Food to encourage the plant to grow back. Try and make sure the roots are sheltered from the sun as Clematis are natural hedgerow plants and like their heads in the sun but their roots in the shade.


I expect this has happened to one of the early, large flowering hybrids possibly a double.


Unfortunately they seem to be more susceptible to wilt than other types of Clematis.
Reply:Cut the clemantis back, new shoots will pop up this year and the plant will come back in spring.
Reply:try cutting it back and remove any dead leaves.





It is best to prune in the early spring. As to the decline in the visible quality of the plant, you might try moving it next spring, before new growth takes place, to an eastern exposure so the hot sun won’t cook the plant as much.
Reply:It's commonly known as Clematis Wilt...no real problem, keep the roots cool and cut back any dead-looking leaves. Depending on your clematis it will grow again either next year or over autumn.