Clematis

maddieamos

As you can see from the photo my clematis is just a woody stem with all the growth and flowers (it’s currently in bud) on the other side of our fence. Can I chop it right down and if so to what height and when? 

Thank you

Hostafan1

Welcome to the Forum, but I can't see a photo. 
Click on the icon which looks like a postcard of a mountain

maddieamos

maddieamos said:

As you can see from the photo my clematis is just a woody stem with all the growth and flowers (it’s currently in bud) on the other side of our fence. Can I chop it right down and if so to what height and when? 

Thank you

maddieamos

Thank you Hostafan1

Hostafan1

It's a Montana type so just about to flower. 
I'd cut the top off  after it flowers and try to untangle those main stems and try to get them spread out more. They're very forgiving and it'll bounce back in no time. You might lost flowers next Spring but it'll be in better shape .

maddieamos

Thank you so much. 

Would it still grow back if I cut it right down? 

Hostafan1

well, yes, but why would you cut it back more than you need to? 
Your choice of course, but it's not necessary to cut it right down.

maddieamos

Ok thank you. 

Hostafan1

my pleasure.

Fairygirl

Is it still attached to that cane in the middle?
I'd remove those ties, if it is, and remove the cane as well, as it's not doing anything 
 
I'd be slightly worried about the support it's growing on too. It's not going to last a long time [the split bamboo stuff will rot] but the uprights don't look very substantial. Montanas get very heavy. 
It might be worth getting some sturdier posts in there.

maddieamos

Hi Fairygirl, there is a lower fence behind it but agree about the bamboo stuff. And I’ll remove the cane. 

Thank you.