Clematis leaf spots - Ask Extension
Just discovered my Clematis ‘Ice Blue’ has yellow spots on the leaves. This plant has been in this same spot for many years. I cut it back early S...
Knowledgebase
Clematis leaf spots #869660
Asked May 22, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT
Just discovered my Clematis ‘Ice Blue’ has yellow spots on the leaves. This plant has been in this same spot for many years. I cut it back early Spring to rejuvenate an otherwise healthy plant. The spots right now are only on the south side of plant facing the neighbor’s yard. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
I'll offer a few possibilities. The simplest is excess water. Clematis are fussy about water - too much and it affects their ability to take up nutrients.
Second is a nutrient deficiency. Get a soil test done:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden
Make sure you test for magnesium.
Third (and more dire) is yellow mosaic virus. Look in here for a photo:
https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=43591
If you rule out water issues and your soil test does not uncover anything, send a sample to the plant disease clinic:
https://pdc.umn.edu/submit-sample
Here is a more general diagnostic article:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2023/05/18/why-are-the-leaves-turning-yellow-on-my-clematis-vine/
Second is a nutrient deficiency. Get a soil test done:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden
Make sure you test for magnesium.
Third (and more dire) is yellow mosaic virus. Look in here for a photo:
https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=43591
If you rule out water issues and your soil test does not uncover anything, send a sample to the plant disease clinic:
https://pdc.umn.edu/submit-sample
Here is a more general diagnostic article:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2023/05/18/why-are-the-leaves-turning-yellow-on-my-clematis-vine/
