I must now officially confess my love for the Queen of the Vines. After last year’s spectacular exhibition by my Hagley, I’ve now added 6 new Clematis to my container garden:

Hagley - Thank you jvdubb, JRsbugs and @Calif_Sue for the identification last year!
Its first pruning was in March of this year. It’s growing nicely. Nearly a dozen buds are a week, maybe two, away from opening. I’ve put together a type of ‘trellis’ by cutting up cages used previously for cherry tomato, peppers and morning glory. Purchased .75 gallon May 2015, currently in 5 gallon plastic container
- H.F. Young - purchased: .75 gallon May 5, 2017, Currently in 2.5 gallon plastic container
- Jackmanii Superba - purchased: .75 gallon May 5, 2017, Currently in 2.5 gallon plastic container
- Star Burst – Thank you @Calif_Sue for the identification this year! - purchased: .75 gallon May 5, 2017 currently in 2.5 gallon plastic container
- Ramona - purchased: .75 gallon May 5, 2017, currently in 2.5 gallon plastic container
- Ruutel - purchased: .75 gallon May 12, 2017, currently in 2.5 gallon plastic container
- Carnaby - purchased: .75 gallon May 12, 2017, currently in 2.5 gallon plastic container

OK, I may have added too many at one time but they were on sale ($12 - $15) at Lowe’s and I’ve got plenty of pots and soil!

Although my Hagley has never suffered attacks by pests or disease I am concerned for my new clematis.

My neighbor had a snail infestation last year that wacked half a dozen of his bushes along our shared fence. This weekend while setting up my yard to accommodate my new additions, as well as situating my blueberry and barberry bushes, I’ve come across snails, slugs and ants. A couple of years ago, earwigs decimated my eggplant and peppers! My recently purchased young clematis are susceptible to these pests, as well as clematis-specific disease: powdery mildews, clematis slime flux and clematis wilt.

My knee jerk response is to use a neem spray or 3 in 1 insecticide (Spectracide) but I don’t want to negatively impact my blueberry or clematis with too radical a response.

I’d appreciate any suggestions on how I may best protect my garden.

Many thanks in advance.

Dia

Looks like you are on your way with a good start!
I have about 40 now, all of them purchased in the last 6 years since I moved to this property so I am still technically a newbie growing them. Some are still in pots building up their roots before I plant in the ground.
Personally, I have never sprayed them for anything, never lost to bugs, sure, I have some chew marks here and there, earwigs, slugs, but nothing that harmed them. I hand pick snails, but have free ranging chickens so don't put out bait. (my chickens do a pretty good job with slugs and snails) There are ways to set out traps for earwigs too if they become a problem. I've never seen wilt, if it happens, oh well, I have plenty of other plants to take it's place.
I had a couple that totally disappeared, not sure why but they were real tiny to begin with and never came back. Clematis are really tougher than they look!

Thanks for your reply Calif_Sue.

I'll forget about the neem spray and insecticides, and I'll just continue to hand pick the snails as chickens aren't a viable option here in Brooklyn.

All is going well so I'll stop being over-protective of the clematis and just enjoy the show as the grow.

Be well!

Dia