Aphid explosion on evergreen clematis

Q: I just realized that the new growth on my evergreen clematis is looking really bad.

A: Wow, that is a lot of aphids! These sapsucking insects are common in late spring/early summer and populations can explode if weather conditions are right.

Use your water hose and a powerful spray nozzle to wash them all off. Most will be eaten by insect predators as they try to climb back up the vine.

Any garden insecticide, including insecticidal soap, will kill them. Just be persistent about applying.

You can clip off the damaged new growth and the vine will replace it in a few months.