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Clematis free for all

Flora rosaFlora rosa Posts: 262
in Problem solving
Hello, haven't been active for a while but have been keeping up with you all. I made a mistake with my wooden arch 1) I didn't put string/wire in between all the gaps so my Clems just hang off the front but 2) most importantly,  I have the president and Nelly Moser on either side, they've been drowned out by the montana. I do get flowers but nothing much. Can I ask what you would do please? Shall I or can I prune the 2 as group 3 this winter/spring ? Do you think that will help them perform against the montana? Or get them out altogether and  replant elsewhere? 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited August 2020
    The montana has enough vigour to take over the whole garden so I would be inclined to get rid of that altogether or else keep it clipped within bounds that suit you and don't go anywhere near the arch.

    Nelly Moser and The President are both group 2 and both get to between 2 and 4 m high but maybe this coming spring it would be a good idea to treat them both as group 3s and prune them back hard or at least to the lowest pairs of buds so you can clear away the top growth and add extra wires.

    After pruning next spring, give them both a good deep drink - at least 10 litres - and then a generous handful of slow release clematis, rose or tomato feed followed by a good mulch of well-rotted manure.  Train in the new growth across the wires as it appears and before it tangles or just heads up straight in a column.  Treat as group 2s in future years.
    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
    Ooh err missus!
    Not to worry. Is the montana accessible enough that you could cut it back, lift it and plant elsewhere,  and then your other two would be fine on the arch? They're tough things, so they don't mind being cut back hard.  :)

    I'd agree with @Obelixx - you can cut the other two back so that you can train them in nicely for future years  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Flora rosaFlora rosa Posts: 262
    Many thanks for coming back to me. Okey dokey, the montana will be moved and the other 2 will get some TLC and see if I can't get the arch looking like it should do. I'll try to put the montana at the back going along the fence! Thanks both 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Good luck with it.
    It might be worth potting up the montana and keeping it until spring to replant. It will depend on the size of the rootball and how easy it is to get out though. If it comes out easily, you can just replant  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Flora rosaFlora rosa Posts: 262
    Thanks fairygirl. Love yr atavar 😄. I do love the cascade of montana flowers in spring but I know it's worth it for a better display next year. I'm soooooo bad at pruning, I hate cutting anything. Then it becomes a massive job lol 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The good thing is that they're fairly hard to kill  ;)
    There's a house not far from me which has a very mature one on the front wall, adjoining their garage. They've recently cut it right back to about head height, and it'll be fine. The 'trunks' on it are the thickness of my leg  :D

    I look exactly like that picture.....
    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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