Phoma clematidina (Clematis Wilt)

Symptoms:

Wilting starts at the growing tips and works downwards. The leaf stalks blacken and inspection of stems shows internal blackening. If not caught in time the wilting can work down to ground level.

Cause:

The spores of the fungus are spread in water droplets caused by water splashes.

Control:

When planting new Clematis, plant deeper than the original soil surface. This can help the plant to recover from Clematis wilt.

Affected plants should be cut back to healthy tissue. Even if the plant is cut back below ground level the plant is still likely to recover so do not be tempted to dig out until at least the following year.

Plants affected:

Larger flowered varieties of Clematis are more susceptible

Web Resources:

Advice from the RHS