Troubleshooting
Clematis 'The President' problems — and how to fix them
Clematis 'The President' (Clematis 'The President') 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.
Clematis wilt
Large-flowered clematis can suddenly wilt from fungal infection. Plant the crown 5-8 cm deep so it can regrow, cut affected stems back to healthy tissue, and keep it watered and fed.
Bare, leggy base
Group 2 clematis flower on old wood and can become bare low down. Train shoots outward and low, and reduce some stems in spring to encourage basal growth.
Poor flowering from drought
Dry roots reduce flower numbers. Mulch deeply, shade the root zone, and water consistently through the growing season.
Mistimed pruning
Cutting it back hard in spring removes the early-summer flowers that form on old wood. Only lightly tidy and remove dead growth in late winter.
Prevent clematis 'the president' problems before they start
Most clematis 'the president' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for the species overview? Clematis — the full care guide.
Clematis 'The President' problems — FAQ
Why is my clematis 'the president' clematis wilt?
Large-flowered clematis can suddenly wilt from fungal infection. Plant the crown 5-8 cm deep so it can regrow, cut affected stems back to healthy tissue, and keep it watered and fed.
Why is my clematis 'the president' bare, leggy base?
Group 2 clematis flower on old wood and can become bare low down. Train shoots outward and low, and reduce some stems in spring to encourage basal growth.
Why is my clematis 'the president' poor flowering from drought?
Dry roots reduce flower numbers. Mulch deeply, shade the root zone, and water consistently through the growing season.
Why is my clematis 'the president' mistimed pruning?
Cutting it back hard in spring removes the early-summer flowers that form on old wood. Only lightly tidy and remove dead growth in late winter.