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
"what Pete said"
Having said this, over-pruning really early can kill even this group, so nowadays I tend to leave them to bulk up a bit, pruning less hard in the first two or three years, then to the recommended size thereafter. As long as you fertilise and water OK during the growing season, and ensure the roots are shaded, it should bulk up well.
Now you have me thinking 🤔. Mine are about 3 years old so maybe cut them down a little less than 6in? I'll leave the one on the sunny side and cut down some of the shady side but leave others at the first bud. Thanks for your help.
Were they just cuttings when you planted them then? Most reputable suppliers' plants are at least a couple of years old when sent out. It's only these ones in supermarkets that tend to be very young, immature plants that need a bit more time. I must say - I don't cut any of mine as low as @Pete.8 does. Around a foot is as low as I do mine- even the mature ones.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Both plants were about 2ft when I bought them, not cuttings at all. They have managed to join at the top of the pergola, not in their first year, but in the following 2 years so they have done exactly what I wanted of them. I have decided to mix the pruning a bit following what various more experienced gardeners, including yourself on here have advised. The good side has already been pruned down to the bottom pair of healthy buds, which are about one foot up the stems. For the shady side I will cut one or two of the stems down to about a foot, above a node, leave a couple of stems at their lowest buds which are about 3ft high and cut any weaker stems back to 6in above the base to see if they produce new stems from the roots. I'll watch carefully to see what happens on that shady side!
I'll post a photo in all their splendour! They have been wonderful in the last couple of years and seem to flower for most of Summer. Given that the pergola faces North and is in the shadow of tall conifers, I feel I've finally found a plant that does the pergola that my Hubby built, proud. I've previously had Honeysuckle and then climbing roses on there but they haven't really worked.
I think people feel that all clematis need lots of sun, but it's a total myth. Many do better in some shade, because they can get very bleached - the dark ones especially, can look poorer.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree. I did look for a Clematis that was reported to fare well in shade but I certainly wanted a lighter colour as well because the usual purple Clematis would be a bit lost at the back of my garden. I don't think it is one of the better known Clematis but I have been very pleased with the Hayley Hybrid and it's flowers do shine out in the shade.
Posts
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Having said this, over-pruning really early can kill even this group, so nowadays I tend to leave them to bulk up a bit, pruning less hard in the first two or three years, then to the recommended size thereafter. As long as you fertilise and water OK during the growing season, and ensure the roots are shaded, it should bulk up well.
I must say - I don't cut any of mine as low as @Pete.8 does. Around a foot is as low as I do mine- even the mature ones.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have decided to mix the pruning a bit following what various more experienced gardeners, including yourself on here have advised. The good side has already been pruned down to the bottom pair of healthy buds, which are about one foot up the stems. For the shady side I will cut one or two of the stems down to about a foot, above a node, leave a couple of stems at their lowest buds which are about 3ft high and cut any weaker stems back to 6in above the base to see if they produce new stems from the roots.
I'll watch carefully to see what happens on that shady side!
It'll be interesting to see how they both do.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...