As @Fairygirl explained it is important to encourage new root growth .A newly planted clematis needs to be planted deeply as the underground stems develop roots. I have planted clematis this way in the past and then pruned back as explained. May seem drastic but it's all about the roots first and foremost.. Just go for it if you cut off too much don't worry just remember prune to strong buds. Planting this way is also good if clematis wilt is a problem as the plant is not affected by wilt underground.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I also have some old Group 3 clematis which have new green growth at the top but my problem is that the first set of strong buds that you should prune to are about 4 to 5 foot from the base! Probably due to tentative pruning in their early years. Please could you tell me if I should prune back to a node about 1 ft from the base even though there are no buds there? Many thanks.
Are you sure there aren't any buds lower down @owllady? I'd still cut it back, but if you're worried, you can cut part of it back harder, and see what happens, and then do the same next year. You can even cut it back a bit, later in the year after flowering. That way, you can get it back to how it should be growing. A feed after pruning, and a mulch of compost or similar, is also beneficial for flower production. If it hasn't been planted deeper initially, that will help to encourage new stems
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you Fairygirl. I am sure that there are no buds lower down but I will take your advice and cut a part of it down and leave the rest with the green growth as insurance. What is the best feed at this time of year? I usually use blood, fish and bo emeal together with a mulch of compost. Should I be using tomato feed instead?
I only use BF&B early in the year, but you can use a rose fertiliser too if you have one. I use tomato food occasionally as well, but I don't feed when the plants are coming into flower.
In pots I use some of the slow release stuff suitable for all flowering plants, or tomato food. I'm usually doing sweet peas with that later in the year, so it's handy to do both types of plant if the timing's suitable
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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I'd still cut it back, but if you're worried, you can cut part of it back harder, and see what happens, and then do the same next year. You can even cut it back a bit, later in the year after flowering.
That way, you can get it back to how it should be growing.
A feed after pruning, and a mulch of compost or similar, is also beneficial for flower production. If it hasn't been planted deeper initially, that will help to encourage new stems
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What is the best feed at this time of year? I usually use blood, fish and bo emeal together with a mulch of compost. Should I be using tomato feed instead?
In pots I use some of the slow release stuff suitable for all flowering plants, or tomato food. I'm usually doing sweet peas with that later in the year, so it's handy to do both types of plant if the timing's suitable
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...