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Clematis Pruning

fredmason861fredmason861 Posts: 7
in Plants
Unsure how or when to prune. Lots of old branches show below top leaves and flowers, but still have a green centre. Am I able to cut these without killing my plant. Picture added. Thanks Fred Mason

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    When and how hard depends on the type of clematis.  There's general advice here on the pruning groups - http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-pruning.cfm

    Use the search facility to tell you which group yours is as it's unclear from the photo.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • fredmason861fredmason861 Posts: 7
    Many thanks for your help. I am attaching a closer pic. This one had just started to flower. Fred
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    Then it's a group 1 and should only be pruned to tisy it up and keep it in bounds as soon as flowering finishes.   If you want to renew it, cut one or two big stems at the base and leave them to wilt completely before you try and remove them.  They'll put up less resistance and do less harm to the rest of the plant.  

    Give it a generous feed of slow release clematis, rose or tomato feed now and again after pruning and make sure it doesn't go thirsty.  That will keep it healthy and full of flowers next year.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • fredmason861fredmason861 Posts: 7
    Brilliant advice! I will give that a go after flowering has finished Thanks again Fred.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    Do all montanas get in a birds' nest state like that if unpruned for a few years?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    yes.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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