“Keep Calm and Carry On”! That is the mantra I use for the malady stem rot (aka wilt) and I suggest that anyone growing clematis in the large-flowered cultivars belonging to the Patens and Jackmanii Groups adopt it as well. This is because these two groups are more likely to up and crash on you (wilt) than cultivars in other groups (to find more information about Clematis Groups visit: J. van Zoest Clematis).
Even though I know better, I still had to remind myself this year to follow my own advice because stem rot has already hit three of my precious clematis. Stem rot seems to be at its worst in the spring when clematis are about to bestow upon us their gorgeous flowers which makes the loss all the more devastating. Last year, to shed light on this subject, I wrote: Got Wilt? (aka Stem Rot) and Rx for Wilt (aka clematis Stem Rot). So, if you are a newcomer to my website please read them. I admit, even after nearly 20 years of growing clematis, it is still equally as painful for me to walk outside and see one of my babies drooping because it been hit by wilt.
By the way, my sweet daughter, Emily, because she knows I love tea (or maybe because it has that nice little crown on the label) recently gave me the box of Earl Grey Tea.
So, keep calm and carry on and have a cup of tea with milk or lemon and sugar (oh, so soothing) and wish for no more wilt.