What is the matter with my clematis?

[Mrstrumpalot]

I have noticed it has quite a few shrivelled and dying buds on it, not the whole plant as there are still lots of lovely flowers. It can't be lack of rain as it's hardly stopped raining recently!
Have attached a photo if that's any help.

Trace back the dying shoot as far as you can. It looks to me like it has got snapped near the base

Could be clematis wilt. Some get it some don't! Cutting back usually sorts it and the whole plant rarely dies.

I agree with astrantiamajor. It looks like a branch has snapped or possibly nibbled by something. Cut it back and give it a good feed/water (late evening out of the sun) and it should come back.

I think you are quite correct re some damage near the base. There appears to be 3 major branches coming up from the earth but I have recently had some bark put down in that area.
I wonder if they were a bit too heavy handed and have damaged a part of the branch which I can't see under the bark chipping.

I would think that was it. The stems are brittle this time of year. I have done that so many times when doing things around the base. Just pretend it was an 'early pruning'. I would cut back to the damaged bit and in less than a month you will see list of new growth.