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Help! Out of control clematis!

jane_crakerjane_craker Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi, newbie here. I have a clematis in my garden, not sure of the variety but it flowers late spring/early summer. I know you are in the midst of summer but here in New Zealand are in the depths of winter. The clematis is out of control and very woody looking as you can see! It's been in situ for three years but hasn't been pruned. From what I've read I would be best to wait until it has flowered and then cut it right back almost to the ground. However, there is quite a lot of growth over the neighbours fence, and they have just moved out. I have a week before the next people move in and wondered if I would be able to attack it now without killing it? To be honest I didn't expect it to do so well (our soil is terrible) so it has taken me a bit by surprise! Any help much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jane

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hello Jane. You can cut it back now and you wont kill it - you may lose some of the flowers next season but it will re-grow.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree Jane. Take the opportunity to give it a good prune. It's possibly a montana - if you take a look at images online, you'll get an idea of flower sizes etc. Even in poor ground, they flourish as long as they have plenty of water.
    Hard to kill, as Ladybird says- and stunning when in full flow  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jane_crakerjane_craker Posts: 2
    Thank you so much. I’m not sure where to start, it’s such a tangle. Maybe I will give it a hard prune towards the bottom?
    Thank you for your replies :) 
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    A hedge trimmer will be a good place to start. Take it back as far as you dare and then you will be able to see what you are up against for more gentle pruning. Give it a  good amount of water and and a balanced bonemeal fertiliser or such to get it growing back with some food. 



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

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