Many growing the Sweet Autum Clematis are well aware
of those horrid black clematis beetles. They can swoop in during
the weekend and your clematis is gone by Monday. Horrible, nasty
things.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/683/index.html
(SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS)
http://www.uark.edu/depts/entomolo/museum/ebony.html
(THE NASTY BUG)
Well, each year I tell myself I'm going to get the beetles in time before
they devour my vine. And each year I lose the battle. In all the years we've
lived here, I think we've enjoyed the blooms and a good seed harvest
three times at best.
This year was the worst. Early spring I fertilized the vine and it was at
an all time high. It has traveled down both sides of the fence looking fabulous!
Longer than ever, full and fab. Then THEY came.
We will abbreviate to say I just finished cutting the entire vine back to
only one foot tall. Multiple vines and great roots, but we'll have to wait
until next spring to see any new growth.
Years down the tube! :-(
Goodbye for now, my once beautiful Sweet Autumn Clematis...
So sad!! I've never heard of those beetles, but they sure look gross and menacing. I can't believe they work so fast. That's horrible. Do you at least have pictures of your healthy vine to get you through to next year?