Clematis

[snafflehands]

Why do my clematis keep dying? I was given one for an anniversary present, it died within three days, before I got it out of the pot. I replaced i t but that one lasted aboout two weeks in the ground before it too died. help!

[Cetti]

Oh dear, you are unlucky! If it died before you had a chance to plant it may not be your fault. Wherever it was grown, the watering or hardening off might have been incorrect. The one that lasted two weeks was it watered well before planting? Clematis love hot heads and cool roots, so the position is important - no midday sun on the roots. Planted correctly - not too deep a hole and about 6in. from any trellis. They can be fussy little madams or incredibly easy - Try any of the 'Montana' species. They are the rough and tough ones. Good luck!

[Cactus]

It sounds like you've been the victim of something called 'Clematis wilt'. It's a fungal infection around the base of the plant and will quickly (sometimes within 24 hours) kill the plant. You can help prevent this by taking an old plastic flower pot, cutting the base out of it, then cutting it all the way up the side and placing it upside down around the base of the plant like a kind of collar. - Otherwise, as Cetti said, grow in a sunny position but keep the roots in shade. Stand something in front of it if necessary. Clematis are a very rewarding plant to grow as they produce a wonderful display of blooms, very varied depending on which species you've got. Keep trying, you'll succeed in the end.