Sometimes gardeners will report that either a part or all of their Clematis plant suddenly wilted and died. Many times they will note that the plant came back from the roots only to do it again. This can occur on young or old established vines. Often it may appear that the tips of fast growing shoots and young leaves collapse first and then with in a week the stems and leaves from the point of origin are black.

The symptoms are compatible with a disease condition called Clematis Wilt. It is caused by a fungus, ascochyta. It enters the plant near the base where stems are damaged. The fungus grows in the plant and when the conducting vessels get plugged up impeding the upward flow of moisture, the plant or part of it, suddenly collapses. Since the disease enters through the stems, the plant often lives as the roots and crown are not affected.

When the damage occurs, all affected stems and foliage should be removed immediately and burnt. Then all the remains can be sprayed with Benomyl, Captan, or any other sulphur-based fungicide as a possible preventative measure against further damage. The foliage and lower stems of the plant and surrounding soil area may be treated every four weeks until the plant has recovered and produced new growth and no further collapse of stems is experienced.

If the plant consistently wilts, then it may be best to dig it up, remove the soil from the root system, and submerge the plant in the fungicide solution. Replant the treated plant in a new site and treat the old site by drenching with the fungicide solution as a precaution against further ttacks on plants replanted in that site.

The Clematis usually will recover in two years. For subsequent plantings, it may be worth considering planting the Clematis deeper. As the point of entry may be at ground level or just below, planting to cover the crown with3 inches of soil will usually leave a bit of stem below where the wilt enters and likely the stem will throw a new shoot or shoots. Hard pruning in the early years of a Clematis plants life should also help to prevent the wilt from being fatal and assist with a quick recovery.

Clematis viticella, C. Alpina, C. Macropetala, and their cultivars are usually very resistant along with most in the C. Montana group. All the large flowered hybrids are susceptible.