Unhappy Nellie Moser

I planted thie Nellie Moser earlier in the year against a south-facing wall and it's been doing all right so far. The base is hidden from direct sunlight by the leaves of other plants. It did produce a couple of flowers In last week's heat wave I kept it well watered but I noticed yesterday that quite a few leaves have suddenly blackened off. Is this normal for this time of the year? Should I be cutting back the dead stuff, and if so, how far back? Should I perhaps hold off watering for a while?

 

Clematis seem to be suffering more like this this summer docjohn

I recently contacted Taylors...of clematis supply fame.....about this (a variety I planted this spring for someone) and it is apparently connected to a shortage of water. Strong sunshine on the leaves will burn them if too dry

Nellie Moser is a clematis that prefers a shadier spot in the garden I think. Maybe move it in the autumn ...? Or could you plant slightly taller subjects in front of it to shield the sun maybe up to 60 to 90 cm? A thick organic mulch too will help I think

 

I used to find the flowers faded very quickly in full sun, even if its not hot.
Not sure a south facing wall is the right place.

 

It looks really burnt and unhappy.

As you have only planted it this year, think I would first chop all the top growth off, down to about 1ft high, then water the plant and let it soak in for half a hour, then carefully dig around it with a trowel /spade and lift it out and replant in a shadier place, typically against a northish facing wall or fence that gets just a little early / late sunshine, or somewhere with plenty of shade.

When planting , are you planting it as deep as the pot it was in ? again you really need to plant them about 6" deeper with some feriliser in the bottom and some compost mixed into the backfill soil etc.

Use some copper tape / slug protection so the new shoots coming from the base do not get eaten.

We had to chop down one of ours a few weeks ago, its now back up to 6ft