What's eating my clematis 'miss bateman'?

Clematis 'Miss Bateman' is a compact early large-flowered cultivar. Aphids target new spring growth, and slugs and snails can devastate emerging stems before they harden. Earwigs may nibble its white blooms at night. Because it blooms on old wood and is only lightly pruned, scale can occasionally build up on older stems.

Colonies on tender shoot tips causing sticky, distorted growth Insecticidal soap spray, neem oil, or a strong water jet; introduce or encourage ladybirds

Holes and ragged edges on young leaves; stems can be severed near the crown in spring Iron phosphate pellets, coarse grit mulch, and hand-picking after dark

Waxy brown bumps on older woody stems; gradual loss of vigour and yellowing leaves Scrape off by hand; treat with a plant oil-based pesticide when crawlers are active in early summer