? Diseased Montana Clematis

I am not very experienced gardner.Been in this house 2 yrs.The Montana clematis has been in the garden for many yrs and was full of beautiful flowers last spring.In late autumm I noticed the leaves were going yellow and dropping off.Wasnt sure if this was normal.The stems are now a mixture of maroon colour and 'normal' colour.Just noticed sml.orange pustules on many of the stems.Is there anything I can do and will my other clematis become affected.Would hate to lose this very lge. There are many new sprouting new buds.Montana.Thank you.

 

Hi Friday, welcome to GC. I have a Montana Elizabeth. I wouldn't worry too much. Just cut it back to about 6 inches and wait for spring. It will probably bounce back.

 

hi friday
welcome to GC hope you enjoy

 

Hi Friday...

 

Friday, if it`s got orange pustules on it then it sounds as if the plant has rust.You need to spray with a fungicide, I would use Roseclear3.

 

Thank you so much for suggestions.It has given me some hope for this lovely shrub.Feel that I should have noticed symptoms earlier tho.Do I need to burn the affected stem cuttings or is it safe to send them to local council re cycling? Thanks to everyone for a warm welcome. Friday

 

Have you cut it back,friday? If not just spray it.If you have cut it then just put in your council garden waste bin.

 

Hi Friday welcome to our friendly forum.

There really is nothing like a Montana those beautiful massive amounts of blooms in May are a wonderful site to see and the crazy frenzy of growth after blooming is over is amazing and it's because of that you do really need to have room for them!
We had a couple of Montanas for years and even when we were hacking them to pieces they always bounced back they're pretty hardy even with a tree like trunk so I really don't think you have too much to worry about.
Helen.xxx.