Clematis - Dead?

Hi

We have a clematis in the garden that must be 20 to 25 years old (Dad planted it back when I was a kid) and I noticed this year it looks more brown than usual.

It has always been fairly late to show growth and flower, but I cannot recall it looking this bad so late into the year.

I tried adding some compost as the soil it it in is pretty old, but a month later apart from a bit of green growth on the top it looks dead to me.

Would appreciate some advice... is it time to call it a day and cut it down?

Thanks

 

Hi I am not sure but if it was mine I personally would prune it back and put in the soil coffee grounds to give it some nutrients before I ever thought of getting rid of it but someone may be able to offer you better advice

 

It looks like a Montana. You can hack it right down to a few main stems, give it some blood, fish and bone and water during dry spells. It should rejuvenate, but after clearing away the old, woody stuff, you'll need to train the new growth to grow where you want it.