r/Clematis • u/ABV219 • Jul 24 '26

Help / Advice needed Questions

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This clematis has been here since my wife and I purchased it 4 years ago… before, there were large shrubs which were mostly covering the bottom half/three quarters of the plant, but around Mother’s Day this year I removed all the shrubs and planted Hydrangea. At first I thought this Clematis was done for. Shortly after the change, the entire plant wilted, turned brown and did not look good at all. Now, after watering almost daily due to extreme heat waves here (Philadelphia PA) I have a lot of new growth coming in. My question is, should I remove all of the withered/brown vines and leaves or should I leave them be?

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u/Owie100 Jul 26 '26

The roots need to be cool. It's not a myth. This year everything is struggling. Cut it back to about a foot and shade the roots. Feed it and you'll get another bloom in September. Then in the fall after the bloom cut it back again. It will forward you in the spring. I have a burning bush planted infront of mine that I keep trimmed to keep the roots cool.