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How do you manage to keep all these clematis looking so good?

Feed, water, prune and tie in. My husband Scott is the expert tier-inner!! He does a great job! I have a slightly acid soil, don't know if that makes a difference, and up here in Scotland we have less pests because it's that bit cooler, but I've never found them hard to grow - except the group 2's which I avoid because they wilt so readily.

What feed do you use please?

Hmmmm.....I don't remember the maker, but I buy it in a box in granular form and It's called clematis feed. I get it at local garden centre so it will be generally available.

Will have a look tomorrow, if mine will look like yours I shall be well pleased.

thanks Dotty! They're not all this healthy though, some of the group 2s really struggle!

Why do you think that is then?

I think group 2s are just more fragile. the stems are so brittle and perhaps its also the colder climate here. Then there's the clematis wilt....the mildew...and the fact that I sometimes snap them with the hoe!...shall I go on? The group 3s are just much easier and more reliable plants.

Enough said.......