Prune / controlling Clematis Montana

steven.g.garner

Hi all. I planted a Montana this time last year, it was a tiny 30cm high and has amazed me by spreading and flowering this year to the size in the pic below. Question, I want the spread to stay pretty much as it is. Do I need to formally ‘prune’ the plant or can I just tidy it up? If so, can I do this now or should I wait until autumn when the leaves have dropped? Someone mentioned the stem is a little woody but I’m planning to have the fatsia underneath to grow and fill the hole / cover the base of the clem.

AnniD

Personally l would just tidy up. I cut back any long "whippy bits" and that's about all 

steven.g.garner

@AnniD oh great! Will it flower next year on old growth then???

didyw

This from Taylors Clematis: No essential pruning required, these types of clematis flower on last seasons growth ( very low maintenance ) they general have small flowers about 1-2 inches diameter.  
I don't know which variety of clematis montana you have but they are all in the same pruning group.  So yes, it will flower on the growth it makes this year.

Busy-Lizzie

Yes, montanas are Group 1 so they flower on the previous year's growth which is why you don't prune them in spring, unlike Groups 2 & 3. You don't have to prune them at all, unless you want to keep it to a tidy size but then you risk losing next year's flowers if you prune it too late after flowering.

steven.g.garner

Ahh this is really helpful. So if I cut it back right away I should be good? Thanks al!

AnniD

Sorry, just seen your question 
Yes, it will be fine. Soon as the flowers go over just tidy as much or as little as you want.

steven.g.garner

Thanks again @AnniD and all