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Clematis montana under control

DedekindDedekind Posts: 172
in Problem solving
I was wondering how 'easy' it is to keep a montana under control. We put up a new fence which is half solid panel at the bottom and half trellis at the top, and I am tempted to plant a montana to climb on it.

However I don't want it to smother the fence, just covering one panel + a bit sounds ok. And I don't want it going over the fence to the other side either.


I know the main advise: "pick the right plant for the right spot", "this one is too big".. but let's say for some reason I do want this plant there -- I understand that they can be pruned to shape right after they flower. If I do this every year, will it be manageable?

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  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited April 2021
    Always worth a try, if the plant isn't happy being pruned you will find out.
    There are some that aren't so vigorous such as this one https://thorncroftclematis.co.uk/clematis-primrose-star-8398-p.asp
    They do flower early though but if you have a large garden that might not matter.
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    Our original 6 foot high fence, board, not the woven type fence got overwhelmed with a clematis Montana and ivy , the ivy being the greater thug. After 30 years of fighting with it we had the fence removed and the clematis cut off at ground level. Then a new 6foot fence put back in its place with a lightweight topping of that folding trellis you can buy. The trellis was for security purpose as we back onto a play area. That was two years ago. We removed all the ivy regrowth it’s just about gone.  To our surprise the Clematis regrew from the stump, and is currently covered in buds. We try to train it along wires and in summer again attempt to stop it overwhelming the trellis part. So far the  plan is working. Much easier to keep it manageable in the summer months than let it become a thug by ignoring it for even a couple of years. 

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I agree with @Bilje, last year l cut my clematis Montana "Elizabeth" right back to around a foot high, for the second time in 20 odd years and it is now around 5 feet high and flowering again. If you cut it back after flowering and keep an eye on it over the Summer to make sure it stays under control it should be fine.
    My MIL has one called "Warwickshire Rose" which seems less vigorous, but that could just be down to the conditions in her garden. 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It sounds boring, I know, but why NOT the right plant for the right place? There is so much choice but you want to buy a potentially enormous plant and then dwarf it. Why? Just get a variety that isn't so vigorous! It will be less bother, more healthy and will look great.
  • DedekindDedekind Posts: 172
    edited April 2021
    Posy said:
    It sounds boring, I know, but why NOT the right plant for the right place? There is so much choice but you want to buy a potentially enormous plant and then dwarf it. Why? Just get a variety that isn't so vigorous! It will be less bother, more healthy and will look great.
    Thanks I know you are right..
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    My worry would be the wooden trellis.  A normal Montana is so vigorous it will be too heavy and risk breaking the trellis unless it is a very sturdy one.  If and when you do have to cut it back hard to control size it will have wrapped itself so tightly round the trellis bars that they'll break when you pull off the dead material.

    I also feel that montanas have a very short flowering period compared to viticellas which can flower for 3 months or more and can be cut back hard every spring and not pull down a fence or trellis.
    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
  • DedekindDedekind Posts: 172
    Obelixx said:
    My worry would be the wooden trellis.  A normal Montana is so vigorous it will be too heavy and risk breaking the trellis unless it is a very sturdy one.  If and when you do have to cut it back hard to control size it will have wrapped itself so tightly round the trellis bars that they'll break when you pull off the dead material.

    I also feel that montanas have a very short flowering period compared to viticellas which can flower for 3 months or more and can be cut back hard every spring and not pull down a fence or trellis.
    Well I would not ideally let it grow so heavy to bring the trellis down or ruin it. I guess that's also part of my question : if pruning after flowering can I keep it reasonable in that sense? 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Again, why?  Short flowering season and the a need for control.  Better, IMO, to go for a suitably sized viticella which will flower longer and during a period when it's warm enough to sit out and enjoy it. 

    Montanas flower so early they risk having all their flowers burned by frosts.   I had one that finally covered 18' of wire fence and was zapped to death by a late heavy frost just as the flowers were about to open.  Big risk.    Bigger disappointment.
    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
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    You seem to be aware of the pros and cons of going for a Montana. As with all these things, it eventually comes down to you. The only other thing l would add is to repeat that the trellis would be put under tremendous strain. Mine is grown along a wall using wires and having cut it back l could see the amount of growth and the tension on the wires.
    If you want a Spring flowering clematis, maybe one of the Alpina types would be more suitable? 
    https://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/Clematis-alpina/
  • DedekindDedekind Posts: 172
    I mean yes I could go for another one, but I do have this plant already and need to do something with it :) 
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