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Clematis pruning

RozieRozie Posts: 26
in Fruit & veg
For the last three years, as a result of my husband's illness I have been able to do only the most basic gardening, and many things in the garden have got out of hand. I have a Clematis Montana 'Elizabeth' which has not been pruned for all of that time. This year immediately after flowering, I detached part of the plant from the 10' long trellis over which it grows. I cut away far more than I left! However I did not manage to deal with the whole of the 10' length as the trellis was falling apart and has had to be replaced. Now I have detached the rest of the plant, the new trellis is in situ and I am ready to lift the plant back onto the trellis. I really need to cut away a great deal more but I know that next year's flowers will be borne on the shoots formed this year.  should it still produce shoots if I cut it back now, or if I want to see flowers next year must I put it back as it is, wait until next spring, detach it again after flowering, and cut it back then?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi Rozie - it really depends which is more important to you. A big cut back always brings that problem.
    If it was me - I'd cut it back to where you want it, attach the new growth as it comes along and tie it in, and accept that next year you won't get much in the way of flowers. It would mean that the job's done, instead of having all the work involved in attaching it at the size you have, only to have to prune next year and tie in. 
    It's one of those dilemmas that comes down to individual choice. Sorry if that's not very helpful! Whatever you decide, tidy away everything from the base, and give it a good feed of B, F&B [or general feed of your choice] water it all well and add a little mulch of fresh compost to give it a boost.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    I was in a similar predicament 2 years ago, about this time of the year.  My totally inadequate trellis collapsed under the weight of my C. Montana.  At that time I gave the plant a good trimming, it continued put on lot of new growth, but had substantially less flowers the following year, this year though it was beautiful.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're really lovely when in full flow Mary, aren't they?
    I expect your climate is very similar to ours - in a normal year anyway! Plenty of rain for them which really helps them get away  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    Yes FG I believe we have a very similar climate..........although here in the West, we luckily miss the very worst of the bad weather, storms, snowfall etc.  Although, this year we've gotten the highest temperatures.........one just never really knows when it comes to the weather.........woke up this morning to rain, much needed but my heart sank.  I've thoroughly enjoyed this summer, actually getting to wear shorts and summer dresses......fabulous.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2018
    I think the sun's coming back for you Mary - don't get the winter woollies out just yet  :D
    We had more snowfalls than usual this winter [about ten or so] but most were only three or four inches, so not an issue. Lots more sub minus five frosts, but that isn't an issue either. 
    We just have to manage what we get don't we? Gardeners have to adapt   ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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