Very sad Clematis Montana

I have two Clematis Montana plants in our little London.
One is very happy - the other very sad.
The sad one looks like its diseased - or something.
But I have no idea what it can be.
Any ideas .... please.

See the pix.

Thanks

 

Could be wrong but It almost looks like a virus to me.
I presume you have checked for insects closely.

 

Hi Pete!

I can't see any signs of insects - or anything very much - apart from the pathetic, stunted shrivelled leaves.

Can you recommend any potential treatment - if it is a virus?

Thanks again.

 

If it should be a virus there is probably no treatment.
But I wouldn't be sure it is.

 

Plant viruses are incurable and unfortunately the only solution is removal and burning the plant or council garden waste.
They can be transmitted by aphids and other sap sucking insects.

 

What else might it be (before I pull up the whole thing) do you think?

 

Have you got any clearer pictures of the unhappy clematis including leaf . It may just be just under stress due to lack of water etc . Is the unhappy on planted in full sun including the base of the plant ?

It does look stunted by what I can see usually by something feeding on it but no need to remove it if that's the case, I wouldn't be to hasty to whip it out .

 

I don't think its was a water stress problem.
I gave both extra water before the hosepipe ban was introduced and we have had plenty of rain these past few weeks and it has as much water as the other plant.
The sick one is on an east facing fence and the base is totally shady next to a storage box behind a little maple tree.
The healthy plant is on a north facing fence and gets more sun through the later/warmer part of the day.
I will post more pix in the morning - to see if you can spot any clues.

Thanks.

 

Here are six pix of the ailing plant.
Cheers.

 

Black spots on under side of the leaves?

 

On some yes.

 

Possibly mould, does the other plant have any black spots.

 

I have not noticed any - on any other plants.
If its mould - what's the cure?
Thanks again.

 

Not sure but it could be sooty mould from an earlier aphid attack.
Aphids are often the carriers of viruses.