Beryl Simpson

Beryl3 · October 2023

Some years ago I planted a late flowering clematis next to my tree peony. At first it did what I hoped, flowering after the tree peony had finished. However, now it has caused the main peony trunk to bend at a horrible angle. How should I tackle this please?

AnniD · October 2023

You might have to bite the bullet and remove the clematis Beryl, is there any chance of a photo?
Which variety of Clematis is it ?

Beryl3 · October 2023

I think you’re right AnniD. Unfortunately, I’ve just had the lawn scalped, scarified and reseeded so I can’t get near enough to take a photo.

The clematis is Romantica which is a Jackmanii.

I worry that the tree peony is leaning over too much. I get about 12 beautiful plate sized flowers from it every year so it’s quite top heavy when in flower really.

Fairygirl · October 2023

A tree peony wouldn't provide a suitable support for a mature clematis, so you'd either need to move the clem or provide it with a good support of it's own.

Beryl3 · October 2023

You’re absolutely right Fairygirl.

The clematis was originally planted to climb up a support but over the years has thrown up many more stems and ‘walked’ closer to the front of the border, closer to the tree peony.

I realise I’ll need to move the clematis early next year (very guilty of delaying doing this) but how can I help the tree peony not to keep growing at an angle?

Fairygirl · October 2023

No idea @Beryl3 - sorry. Not something I grow.
You may have to stake it, and see if it can be straightened that way, but I don't know if that would work.
If they can be cut back, that might be a way of starting again. I think @fidgetbones and @Dovefromabove both grow them, so they may be able to help.

fidgetbones · October 2023

Tree peonies can be pruned quite heavily. Take out old stems, and the new stems shouls grow straight unless they are shaded on one side, in which case they grow to the light. I agree with @Fairygirl , they are not a suitable support to grow a clematis up.

Dovefromabove · October 2023

I don’t grow tree peonies, but @nutcutlet has several. 😊

Beryl3 · October 2023

Thanks for all your help. The tree peony wasn’t intended to be a support for the clematis. Unfortunately, my efforts to contain it to the area it was supposed to clamber failed miserably.

I’ll definitely prune and move the clematis about February. I’m terrified of pruning the tree peony though! I guess I’m just going to have to be big and brave - I tried staking but it’s not helped.

Thanks again for advice.

Fairygirl · October 2023

It will be more difficult moving the clematis than pruning the peony.

Clems are best moved while they're still fairly young, or new to their site. Once they're well established it's harder, and less successful. Depending on the site, you may have to try creating another support and just being vigilant about training the new growth into that. If you have a photo, perhaps we could suggest a solution in that respect.
If that's not possible, you could take cuttings to create a new plant for a better site - or buy another one if you don't want to wait for that.

Beryl3 · October 2023

Thank you Fairygirl. I’m thinking along the same lines. The roots are likely to be huge considering how much ground it’s spread into so I’ll take loads of cuttings as a safeguard.

It’s a pity I didn’t think to take a photo before I had my lawn levelled and reseeded. Another week and I should be able to tiptoe across.if you don’t mind, I’ll attempt to send a photo of the tree peony and hopefully you can advise me re pruning.

Beryl Simpson

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