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Overgrown mature Clematis (Montana)

Last post 28-08-2012 2:10 PM by gilly_gherkin. 6 replies.

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  • 24/07/2012 03:23 PM
    • gilly_gherkin
    • south-east (Sussex)
    • 01 Oct 2008
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    We have just had new fencing put up and the very mature, but lovely clematis Montana which had been trained to grow up over the old fencing, now needs to be cut back drastically, as we do want to keep it and re-train i against the new fencing.  However, it ihas a very thick woody stem (6-7" diameter approx) and would like advice on how much to cut it down  I have already just cut it down a lot to free it from the wire mesh netting the previous owners had put up..thanks for any good advice!!
  • 25/07/2012 09:53 PM
    In reply to
    • asdfff33
    • North West London
    • 09 May 2012
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    I know it has already flowered back in the Spring, so if you prune it now you should be able to just get away with it (so that is flowers again fine next Spring). Personally I would avoid cutting any of the thicker stems and just cut back the thinner branches, but I am no expert on Montana. I do have one in my garden as well, but we never prune it really and it seems to keep on flowering every Spring. Adam

  • 26/07/2012 08:41 AM
    In reply to
    • Deb
    • Somerset
    • 18 Jul 2012
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    I have been researching a bit about this as we have a clematis montana which is begiining to grow along the eletric cable into our house, and is also going over most of a window. I found theis info most useful. http://www.gardenseeker.com/pruning/pruning_clematis.htm It does suggest its too late this year if you are going to get flowers next, but if you scroll down it does mention the woody material can be pruned. I get the impression that you can be fairly ruthless with these plants once they are well established. I can't decide whether to prune ours now, or do it straight after flowering next year, but may well go for the latter.

  • 10/08/2012 12:00 AM
    In reply to
    • gilly_gherkin
    • south-east (Sussex)
    • 01 Oct 2008
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    Thanks Adam, sounds encouraging and I think with some tlc we should get flowers next year, or if not, it might be strong enough to flower the following year.
  • 10/08/2012 12:02 AM
    In reply to
    • gilly_gherkin
    • south-east (Sussex)
    • 01 Oct 2008
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    Thank you Deb - I'll checkout the link you gave me - now that I can almost tear myself away from watching the Olympics!!!

  • 27/08/2012 09:43 AM
    In reply to
    • JB
    • Wiltshire
    • 26 Aug 2012
    • 20
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    You may already have resolved this issue but in case not ..... We had the same problem having inherited an overgrown Montana when we moved house last September 2011. The Montana was growing against a fence. Oddly enough there was a similar question asked on Gardeners' Question Time concerning the appropriate time of the year for drastic pruning. The unanimous answer was that late winter early spring would be OK. Our clematis also had a huge, thick woody stem. I cut the plant right back to the stem in February 2012. It has regrown very vigorously. It didn't flower this year but I didn't expect it to as Montanas do flower early so I'm anticipating that next year it will flower well. Good luck with yours.

  • 28/08/2012 02:10 PM
    In reply to
    • gilly_gherkin
    • south-east (Sussex)
    • 01 Oct 2008
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    Thank you JB - I'm happy as long as we haven't 'killed' it - but I am very hopeful on that score and as it probably won't flower for a year or so again, I can live with that!!