Clematis integrifolia

Has anyone else got this? I am struggling with it. It has lovely small bluebell like flowers, but even these are being eaten. Earlier this year I had to dig it up as it was eaten to the ground, and now it is a small bush of trailing stems. I keep pinching it out to try and get some thickness in its' stems, but they still look quite fragile, very thin.

 

Yes Liz I have it was one of the new ones from Taylors from out of the 5 I ordered it was the most fragile looking I am watching it closely the others are bombing away like gooduns but this one at the moment has not moved... description 2-3ft non clinging scented, have you had it long?

 

It is not a particularly strong growing plant even at its most healthy. Mine grows up through a trellis which gives it some support. The stems are eaten by molluscs and the flowers are attacked by earwigs. There is a pink version available too.
It is easily grown from seed and it could be that your plant is a weak version from seed. Try saving and sowing the seeds to see if you get a stronger plant that way.

 

Thanks both. It was a bought plant, arrived early last year. I kept it inthe greenhouse until frosts had passed and then planted it next to my sheep fencing which provides good support for the other clematis, honesuckles and jasmine. It survived for a while but was not thriving, and recently was eaten to a stump. So I've lifted it and it is now in a pot. After about 8 weeks growth it looks like this:

So considering it's setbacks is a strong plant. Sorry the pic. was a rush out just now but hopefully enough is visible [including 2 chewed flowers]. I suppose i will just have to keep it in a large isolated container like my hostas until, or if, it manages to establish itself.... :(
It is due for repotting with some support today. It's longest stems are about 2-3' when stretched out!

 

Dear Palustrus, Tis the pink version I have got
integrifolia Rosa nothings eaten it yet.... but I am watching it by the hour as at the moment an awful lot of cabbage whites butterflies about..then caterpillars...

 

I emailed Mr Taylor re the lack of vigour with the Integrifolia and he suggested it may not like where I had planted it and suggested I put it in a pot which I have done so will keep you posted on how it does.

 

If you like this style of clematis, then look out for x hendersonii which is a taller blue, more flat flowered version. Or a real stunner, x durandii, much bigger and deep blue flowers. C. aromatica(?) is similar to C. integrifolia but smaller flowers. I have a C. integrifolia with a japanese name which only grows the 2 feet maximum.
In the herbaceous section there are ones which grow to 12 feet tall and 5 feet across in a season. C. recta and recta purpurea have small white flowers and are BIG plants. C. x jouineana praecox is massive with small bluish/white flowers. C. stans is a smaller bushy type (only 5 foot by 5 foot). I have all the above except C. stans which I am hoping to get this next spring.

 

Hi, I have got Aromatica, which is thriving. I will look out for some of the others.
One variety of clematis that I love is the bushy Heracleifolia, I have a small 'Wyvale'. In my last home it grew really big and had a really lovely strong perfume, like hyacinth. Its' flowers are hyacinh like too, I dont know why it isn't more popular.

 

I forgot about C. heraclifolia. We had Wyvale somewhere, but it may be one of the drought victims this year.