Clematis, Early Large-flowered Clematis 'H. F. Young'

Blackened crispy leaves are often due to a common fungal disease called clematis wilt. Large-flowered clematis are more prone to clematis...Read More wilt than the species and small-flowered hybrids. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/you...

Clematis and tomatoes are two exceptions to the usual rule, and are best planted 6 inches deeper than the soil level in the pot. This protects the stem bases from mechanical damage, and helps prevent clematis wilt, whose fungus enters where there's damage. It also helps keep the roots cool.

Many small-flowered hybrids are spectacular in flower, and long-blooming. I consider them indispensable, especially the viticella hybrids. I've given up planting large-flowered hybrids, except for 'Jackmannii', which seems to be somewhat wilt resistant.

I have four H.F. Young clematis growing on a chain link fence. Three of them really took off and bloomed like crazy this year (third yea...Read Morer). The blooms are stunners that start out dark purple and gradually fade to a light blue/purple. The fourth plant has a lot of new growth this spring and will probably catch up with the other three by next year. They are slow to get started, but worth it. Mine get morning sun and afternoon shade. The roots are shaded by some small sasanqua camellias.

Have tried this clematis 4 times in 6 years. Even buyng the larger pot size thinking maybe it would do better. Does fine the first year. ...Read MoreEach time they have died. Not sure why when there are clematis 1 foot away on either side of them on the fence. Tried different location and the same occurred even with mulching in winter like I do for all my clematis. Going to try a Group 3 clematis of the same color this year instead.

I currently have 3 varieties of clematis, and this one blooms the best. The flowers are large and the color is really pretty. I'm havin...Read Moreg trouble keeping this on the trellis because it has gotten so thick and bushy. If I keep up on deadheading this one, it blooms for most of the summer.