Ask John Negus
Why are my clematis still looking dead?
Q I have several clematis in the garden and overwintered in my greenhouse, including a ‘John Huxtable’, but they just look like dead stems. What should I do?
Mrs A Crookes, via email
A I wonder if it is simply a matter of time. A simple way of checking whether the stems are still alive is to scrape away a sliver of the bark using a thumbnail. Live stems have green flesh under the bark, dead stems are brown.
Varieties like ‘John Huxtable’ flower later in the year on the current season’s growth, so are unlikely to be showing signs of bud burst yet.
Second, all the advice given with new clematis plants is not to expect too much in the first year or two as they will be establishing strong roots and may not do too much growing on top. In year three they will start to perform.
I shouldn’t think incorrect planting is the problem here, but just in case, you can try the guide at: https:// taylorsclematis.co.uk/plant-care.html.
Most clematis are fully hardy so they should not need any winter protection, though plants in pots are more vulnerable to cold than those in the ground. However, a frost-free greenhouse should be all that is necessary. I’m sorry I don’t have an exact answer to your question, but I hope that this information is reassuring.
