Clematis Montana Rubens

roy.gallafant

I am looking for some advice. I have 7 or 8 Clematis Montana and they form a hedge of approximately 20 metre long. The hedge is about 20 years old, the branches are like a birds nest and we are not getting many flowers. I have decided to remove all of the hedge and start again. I have cut 4 of the plants branches off about 30cm. from the base and already after a couple of weeks I am getting growth from them. My question is, should I remove the roots (some are 12cms. in diameter) and replace with new Montana's or should I leave the roots and train the growth?

Fire

Is the hedge working for you generally? If yes, and you like it, then I would keep the plants in and pledge to keep on top of it by judicious pruning every few year. It sounds like the plants are happy.

philippasmith2

I think in that situation, prune all the Clematis back as you have already done with some of them - a good feed/mulch at the base will see them regenerate and then you can train the new growth to re form the hedge.
Little point in spending money on new plants when you already have them in situ and which. with a bit of help, will continue to grow and flower

Fire

They are long lived plants that will happily live over 50 years if healthy.

Fairygirl

Totally agree with @philippasmith2 and @Fire 
It's actually quite a lot for the size of the space, so they'll be congested, but there's no need to replace any, and rejuvenating them by cutting them right back will benefit them. Bit of food, water as well, and the mulch will give them a new lease of life.

roy.gallafant

Thank you all for your advice which I will be taking. Re. the mulching, I don't think that there will be any problem with the supply of mulch.