Troubleshooting
Clematis 'Ernest Markham' problems — and how to fix them
Clematis 'Ernest Markham' (Clematis 'Ernest Markham') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Sparse flowering in shade
'Ernest Markham' is a sun-lover and blooms poorly in shade. Give it a warm, sunny aspect and it will flower long and abundantly.
Bare base
Hard annual pruning leaves the lower stems bare. Prune to 20-30 cm in late winter and screen the base with lower-growing companions.
Clematis wilt
Sudden stem collapse from fungal wilt can occur. Plant deep, water consistently, and cut affected stems back to healthy tissue or to ground level.
Powdery mildew
Late-season mildew can appear in still, humid air. Improve ventilation, water at the base rather than overhead, and clear affected growth.
Prevent clematis 'ernest markham' problems before they start
Most clematis 'ernest markham' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for the species overview? Clematis — the full care guide.
Clematis 'Ernest Markham' problems — FAQ
Why is my clematis 'ernest markham' sparse flowering in shade?
'Ernest Markham' is a sun-lover and blooms poorly in shade. Give it a warm, sunny aspect and it will flower long and abundantly.
Why is my clematis 'ernest markham' bare base?
Hard annual pruning leaves the lower stems bare. Prune to 20-30 cm in late winter and screen the base with lower-growing companions.
Why is my clematis 'ernest markham' clematis wilt?
Sudden stem collapse from fungal wilt can occur. Plant deep, water consistently, and cut affected stems back to healthy tissue or to ground level.
Why is my clematis 'ernest markham' powdery mildew?
Late-season mildew can appear in still, humid air. Improve ventilation, water at the base rather than overhead, and clear affected growth.