Clematis wilt

What is clematis wilt?

Clematis wilt is a fungal disease that affects clematis plants and causes them to die back to the roots. Early, large-flowering varieties are most prone to attack, while smaller-flowering species such as Clematis montana are more resistant. Some clematis can recover and will survive die back to regrow from the rootball. However, sustained attack from the fungus will weaken the plant and could cause it to eventually die.

Clematis wilt is caused by a fungus that enters the plant through a wound made by an insect or an abrasion, such as rubbing from a plant tie. It's works by blocking the uptake of water in the stems of the plant, causing them to collapse and die back. Infected clematis foliage must be disposed of immediately, as the fungus can survive on the plant if left lying on the ground. Clematis wilt spreads by water splash, meaning you can make the situation worse by careless watering.

Symptoms of clematis wilt

The top of a clematis suddenly wilts, collapses and dies back, and the problem quickly spreads downwards through the plant. When the problem spreads from a leaf, its stalk turns black.