Hi, I tried to dig out my clematis but couldn't because the roots were too deep. I was also interested to see if there was any sign of life in them. The roots were soft, but there was no hair like roots shooting from them. I'm pretty sure that it's gone, but I left them in the ground to see if by some miracle they would come up. I also phoned the Greenhouse and they told me to try some Tomato Food in the soil to see if that would bring it up. It's 2 weeks now, and still no sign, but I hope this tip helps someone else with an ailing clematis.

Phoenix, thanks for the reply and LoL the dog didn't piddle on it. If he did it would have made more sense, but the dog is on the other side of the fence. The only thing behind where the clematis's are, that didn't use to be there, is a big doghouse. Do you all think I should try again and take my chances by planting new ones in the same spot?

Phoenix, thanks. I'm wondering if it's already too late to start one this summer. Maybe I should wait until next spring, that way it will have a better start. As far as I know, nothing was done to the ground on the other side of the fence, outside of the doghouse that was put directly behind the clematis. It could be that it was lacking the insulation of the snow cover, or it could be a coincidence that I lost them all at once. I guess I won't know until I try again.
I'm glad that your clematis is doing well, as I heard that they don't like to be moved. Are you planning to put it into the ground soon? Whatever you decide, the best of luck. When they mature they are so beautiful, so I hope it stays with you too. What type of clematis do you have? When I went to the store, I couldn't believe how many differnt ones they had.

Wow, a miracle clematis comeback. Mine were cut down to about 4-6" as every year. I still haven't pulled them, but could try to cut them down even further. Thanks for the inspiring story.

Weezie, thanks. The dog may have tinkled in the area, but I'm not sure. I don't want to upset the neighbour by asking them if they could move their doghouse, nor do I want them to think I'm holding them responsible for my poor clematis. Whatever it was, it doesn't even matter at this point. The only reason I questioned the doghouse was to get some advice if this could have been a possibility, and find out if I'll be wasting my money planting another in the same spot.
I sure miss the privacy that the clematis gave, so I planted some pole beans along side of it, so they are starting to trail up the lattice.
P.S. I like your motto and will leave it in a little while longer to see if it is indeed trying to come up.
We are supposed to get a nice hot July. The garden centers around here, still have plenty of plants left, because of our cool and rainy spring. I can only imagine that they took a huge loss this year as their plants are overgrowing their containers and are now looking in very poor shape.
These last few years, our Augusts have been a mixture of warm and cool days, so I think it will be better to wait and replace it next spring. I bought a clematis for my mother-in-law this past Mother's Day and I looked at it today and see that even though it's growing, it's so puney in comparrison to a well established one.
Thanks again for the advice, I appreciate it.

Ninni, thanks so much. The directions on my Jackamani, said to cut it down every spring and I've been doing this faithfully. I don't think it matters. My sister owns two well established Jackmanis, and she does nothing, no trimming or cutting and hers are every bit as beautiful as mine were. Since, I cut mine down in the end of April this year, maybe it was too soon, because we did have some unexpected cool days after it. I may as well quit blaming myself and concentrate on my beans alongside, trailing up, hopefully without being eaten by caterpillars. Hopefully one day, I'll see some life coming from the clematis.
Ninni, I'm praying that mine will have a miracle comeback, just like yours did. LOL, my husband is terrible with weedwacking. He doesn't watch, he wacks absolutely everything in his path. Hee hee, maybe I should tell him to go and weedwack my clematis or what's left of it.

clematis are funny buggers. Thay can seem to die back very suddenly for no apparent reason.

However, in this case (as has happened to me) I would rather think that maybe your neighbour has been chucking excessive amount of weedkiller about.

I do hope not, though

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http://www.atreusonline2.com/garden.php

Most weed killers kill down to the roots.

And, as far as "dowsing wood that was weed wacked down to the ground with weed killer". Most weed killer is absorbed through foliage. So, that is not neccessarily a tribute to clematis "toughness".

Good Luck !!!

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I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!

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Hi, I just had to stop by and share this with you all. The other day I looked at my poor clematis which I thought was a dead goner and Lo and behold, I have one stem that came out about 4-5" away from the main plant stub, and is branching out at 10" long. Just goes to show you that it pays to wait. I almost dug this one out. The other one is still not showing signs of life, but who knows, as I see with my own eyes, miracles do happen.