Clematis Wilt

Q. I have woven several varieties of clematis through my trellis. The effect is beautiful, but one portion of a clematis wilts, dries and disfigures the arrangement. What is this problem, and how can I treat it?

A. Clematis wilt is a condition affecting many cultivars of this vine. Although damaging to portions of your clematis, the infection rarely kills the entire plant. Look for signs of wilting early in the season. Prune out the affected growth immediately. Often, plants put out new growth below the cut.

The tenth issue of the Garden's Plant Evaluation Notes addresses the problem of clematis wilt in its thorough evaluation of clematis.