Clematis in July: monthly care

Water clematis 'Jackmanii' regularly during the growing season, especially in dry spells. The roots need consistent moisture but must never sit in waterlogged soil. In spring and summer, water deeply once or twice a week if rainfall is scarce; in autumn and winter, natural rainfall is usually sufficient. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool, so top up the layer each spring if it has thinned. Feed in March or early April with a general-purpose balanced fertiliser such as blood, fish, and bone or a slow-release granular feed, scattering it around the base and watering in well. Apply a second feed in June, ideally using a potassium-rich fertiliser such as tomato feed to encourage flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds after spring, as these promote leafy growth at the expense of blooms. Clematis 'Jackmanii' is fully hardy in zones 4a–9b and needs no special winter protection in temperate Europe. The hard pruning in late winter naturally removes any frost-damaged growth. However, young plants benefit from a thicker mulch layer in their first winter. Watch for clematis wilt, a fungal disease that causes shoots to collapse suddenly, usually in late spring or early summer. If it strikes, cut affected stems back to healthy tissue below ground level; new shoots often emerge from the base thanks to the deep planting. Aphids, earwigs, and slugs can damage young growth—check regularly in spring and remove pests by hand or treat with an appropriate organic control. Powdery mildew may appear on leaves in dry summers; improve air circulation and water the roots, not the foliage.