. Barbb, my two new clematis also had all their lower leaves turn yellow and die, at least 4 weeks ago, maybe more. The plants are in the ground one year, and they bloomed some but not heavily this summer. My local friends have told me that their clematis leaves also looked like mine. It has been an ugly sight all summer! I do not know about your white blossoms, sorry. I imagine that this is not an accident, but just what was intended for that cultivar. You may have to buy another plant, next summer, to get what you wanted.. Penny, NY zone 6 ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.