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Clematis Hagley Hybrid pruning

Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
in Problem solving
I have two Hagley Hybrid group 3 clematis, one on each side of a pergola. One side is in more sun than the other and the bottom two buds are gradually going further up the stems on the side in shade. When it comes to pruning i can cut down to a low healthy bud, about 30cm up on the sunny side, but the lowest bud on the shady side is about one metre up the stem.

The question is, can i cut lower than the lowest bud on the shady side? If i cut above a node 30cm up, will it force it to produce buds lower down the stem or will it become non productive?
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Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    *Bump*  :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think I'd be inclined to leave it if there are no buds lower down.
    How mature are the plants? That variety is normally quite good in a shady spot.
    A pic would help if you can  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    AnniD said:
    *Bump*  :)
    Thank you so much😆
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Fairygirl said:
    I think I'd be inclined to leave it if there are no buds lower down.
    How mature are the plants? That variety is normally quite good in a shady spot.
    A pic would help if you can  :)
    I'll get a photo sorted tomorrow. Raining and going dark currently!
    I bought the variety because it is good in shade. It has been very floriferous since I planted them in large pots about 3 years ago but the shadiest side's buds are gradually creeping up the stems despite my having looked after them both equally, pruning in March and feeding regularly each year.
    Photo tomorrow. 😊
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367

    If someone can tell me how to get these photos the correct way around having posted them, I'd be happy to edit.
    Anyway, from the bottom up, this is the pergola front view. The next two from the bottom show the good side of the pergola with the lowest buds just a foot up. The top photo shows the other side with buds maybe 3 times higher. There are nodes below the buds and i was wondering if i cut down to a node, would it flower from there?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I had Hagley Hybrid growing up a pole under a north facing canopy.
    It was in complete shade except for a few hours of sun in the morning during mid-summer.
    It was planted in the ground.
    Around mid-February I'd cut the whole thing down to about 6" - There were lots of stems, so I just cut the lot down to 6".
    It thrived and flowered endlessly over the summer for many years. 
    Sadly it went when I had the house extended.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If there are nodes there, then yes- you can cut them back. Feed, water and a bit of mulch will help too   :)
    They'll need a bit more attention in pots though - better in the ground, as @Pete.8's were. Could you do that or is there a problem there?

    If the photos are around 1MB or less- they load quicker and the right way up. There seems to be an ongoing problem with that   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Fairygirl said:
    If there are nodes there, then yes- you can cut them back. Feed, water and a bit of mulch will help too   :)
    They'll need a bit more attention in pots though - better in the ground, as @Pete.8's were. Could you do that or is there a problem there?

    If the photos are around 1MB or less- they load quicker and the right way up. There seems to be an ongoing problem with that   :)
     Yes there are nodes where the tendrils have grown last year. I'll try it on one stem to see how it goes. Planting into the ground just there is difficult as it is right beside conifers that will deprive them of water. There will be roots there as well and really poor soil. I do water and feed all season and the pots are large.
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Pete.8 said:
    I had Hagley Hybrid growing up a pole under a north facing canopy.
    It was in complete shade except for a few hours of sun in the morning during mid-summer.
    It was planted in the ground.
    Around mid-February I'd cut the whole thing down to about 6" - There were lots of stems, so I just cut the lot down to 6".
    It thrived and flowered endlessly over the summer for many years. 
    Sadly it went when I had the house extended.
    Thank you so much for sharing your experience. That gives me more confidence.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Don't be concerned only having a few stems with some nice buds and some scrawny ones.
    When I cut mine right back masses of new stems appeared from below the soil.
    It's the cutting back of the old stems that forces the plant to produce new ones

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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