Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Clematis growing stringy

nadine12nadine12 Posts: 45
in Problem solving
I have a few clematis plants that I cut right back at the start of spring (planted last year) some have come through with flowers but some are growing really stringy without - should I cut them? 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It depends on what they are and how well you've fed and watered them at they are hungry, thirsty plants.   Some also take a couple of years, in my experience, to settle down and get their roots established before they put on serious top growth.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A couple of pix would help too.  :)
    As Obelixx says - it depends on the varieties, how they've been looked after so far, and also how you're growing them - ie. tying them in properly [horizontally] to get good coverage on their support.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PurplerainPurplerain Posts: 1,053
    There are three groups of clematis and none of them get cut back in early Spring. Group one flowers in Spring/Early Summer and can be cut back after flowering. Group two flowers from Early Summer and is very obliging, just needing a tidy up after flowering. Group three flowers later in Summer and this one benefits from a hard chop in late February. 

    It also sounds to me as if your clematis are struggling and this could be caused by your soil being impoverished. They like a rich soil and although they like full sun they need to have their roots in the shade. Planting them close to bigger plants like hydrangea help with this, although any plant that can provide shade for the roots will do.
    SW Scotland
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The roots in shade thing is a myth.  They can cope with being grown in full sun as long as they're planted deeply enough and given the soil conditions, nutrients and moisture needed for healthy growth.  If you don't have hard winters then pruning group 3s back in February is fine but in my last garden winters were long and very cold so they wouldn't get pruned hard back till late March or even early April in bad years.   Group 1s don't like that at all.  The only one to survive and thrive was an "I am Red Robin".
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
Sign In or Register to comment.