Almost, I88 Exit 23 (Schoharie) left, right (East) on rte 7, left on Rte 30 go about 4 miles, right on Rte 20, go 1 mile, grey Cape house and yellow store (Western Turnpike Deli & Bulk Foods) Stop in some time I'll give you a tour of my garden projects.

Hi Emily, You're not too far from me, about an hour. I have an Uncle in the town of Morris/Laurens that I used to work for. I'm in the town of Duanesburg (western Schenectady Co). I would love to be your gardening friend. I have 2 clematis from Home Depot that also appear to have the wilt problem. I also have 2 others that I got at a different place that are doing great. I think that the Home Depot ones were not that great of stock from the beginning.

I would try to trace back where the wilt is, you can try to save where the blooms are as long as they are not wilted, as sometimes it will spread to the whole plant and I have found its best to treat with caution at first, but if problem spreads I would just prune all. Last year I put in a new tall phlox, soon after I put it in it got powdery mildew, I cut it right back to the ground, it was already in shock from being transplanted then the disease its too much for a plant to take so then I keep it watered and cool, but there is a balance because too much water can promote root rot, fungus, black spot, powdery mildew... I have also found that in gardening I'm allowed to make mistakes. Hope this helped, sorry if I rambled.... Just one of those days! Judi Ps the tall phlox that i cut back last year is doing very well this year!

Your irises are quite lovely! Judi

Hi Emily Your clematis will not die if you prune it down now... I wouldn't be suprized if it flowered again! I would definately keep somethin planted at the root area...With clematis always think Cool roots, hot head.. meaning the plant itself likes sun, but the roots like cool you can also heavily mulch the area if you didnt want to replant the lily of the valley.

I have learned that most plants that look diseased or stressed can be pruned back and will regrow! Smile Judi

you have wilt and it doesn't go away. i lost a sweet autumn last yeat. sorry.

I actually have two birdhouses that look like lanterns that I got at Lowes. One is metal and glass and the other is plastic. I put the fruit and nut treat in the metal one and the birds have to work a little harder to get that. I usually put just regular seed in the plastic one and not very much at a time. And I take the plastic one in at nigh...a raccoon kept emptying it and throwing it on the ground. One time I put the "super treat" in the plastic one and I think every bird in northeastern Ohio paid a visit in 15 minutes. Now I ration it out and only put it in the metal birdfeeder.

As a special treat for the birds I bought something for them at Lowes that says "fruit and nuts". I put it out and word spread rapidly. I think every bird in NE Ohio stopped by for a special treat! It was a riot!!! The feeder was empty in about 15 minutes. I need to get some more of that stuff.