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Overgrown Clematis
BoristheBold
Posts: 18
We've got a very overgrown clematis in a corner of the garden. The stems are thick and woody and it extends to the top of the fence and along it. I'm fairly certain that it flowers after June.
When would be the best time to prune it? Also, how exactly should I prune it? Have watched Monty on YouTube and he recommends about 30cms from the ground but his plant is a spindly thing in comparison and the clematis in our garden is a bit of a monster!
Many thanks
0
Posts
It's probably a Montana of some description, they are the usual culprits. I have one similar, its about 16yrs old and thick as a tree trunk. You can cut them back after flowering quite hard, new growth comes from the trunk eventually, but it can take a year or two.I give mine a haircut after flowering, which keeps it in check anyway.
If it has not been pruned for many years and then you hard prune it the chances are that it will reshoot but there is always a possibility that the stress will kill it.
I would hard prune. You have nothing to loose. Either it dies in which case you can replace with a new one of your choice or it re shoots and you get a rejuvenated plant.