hi, just joined and wanted to ask what clematis this is? and any advice on how and when to prune. Its very old and has lovely flowers but only at very top now. Happy to hard prune if thats best. Thanks
It's one of the montanas - there are lots of varieties, all quite similar. You can prune them hard back to rejuvenate them. It's worth clearing the ground round the base afterwards, and giving some slow release food and a thorough watering. A mulch on top will help preserve that too. It'll mean little to no flowers next year, but it will do it the world of good
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you do cut, start higher up so it's easier to pull apart but make sure you leave it a day of 3 to wilt after cutting as that will make it easier to remove.
I would first wait till the flowers are over and then, as well as the slow release feed and mulch, I'd give it a pep talk and a 10 litre can of diluted tomato feed as an instant tonic.
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)."
I'm usually a bit more gentle to start with - tell it it's been pruned and fed and given first TLC in years so would it please grow? If it doesn't respond in a few weeks, try some more liquid tomato food and another chat and then the 3rd time I get a bit serious and it's "grow or else".
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)."
That's a big beggar - great trunk on it! When we moved into our house about 30yrs ago there was a Montana in the trees at the bottom of the garden that size. The sewer that runs under our garden was being troublesome so they relined it and our Montana mysteriously died! Coincidence? Or had Montana tapped into a never ending supply of fertiliser?
@mikeymustard - when we lived in a house with a septic tank, any water escaping, fed out down the hill into the field. That bit of the hedge was incredibly green and healthy compared to the rest!
It'll be fine @Mary370. As @AnniD says - it really rejuvenates them. A healthy, established plant will benefit from a good haircut. A wee bit of food and water, and it'll be away like Jack's Beanstalk
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks, I love a good olrune! I've just tackled another plant and revealed a honeysuckle that only the neighbours could see. I've cut that back so hopefully it will survive
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You can prune them hard back to rejuvenate them. It's worth clearing the ground round the base afterwards, and giving some slow release food and a thorough watering. A mulch on top will help preserve that too.
It'll mean little to no flowers next year, but it will do it the world of good
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I would first wait till the flowers are over and then, as well as the slow release feed and mulch, I'd give it a pep talk and a 10 litre can of diluted tomato feed as an instant tonic.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When we moved into our house about 30yrs ago there was a Montana in the trees at the bottom of the garden that size. The sewer that runs under our garden was being troublesome so they relined it and our Montana mysteriously died! Coincidence? Or had Montana tapped into a never ending supply of fertiliser?
It'll be fine @Mary370. As @AnniD says - it really rejuvenates them. A healthy, established plant will benefit from a good haircut. A wee bit of food and water, and it'll be away like Jack's Beanstalk
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...