Can I cut clematis montana back to old wood

susananwms

This plant has been a beast and I have cut it back frequently. I wanted to cut back to the ground but my neighbour liked it going over her fence so I left it on condition that she would pull it over and fasten down which she has not done. Because of bad pruning my side (by me) I am left with dry bare twigs and all flowers on top of fence. My question is can I still cut back down to about 12 inches or is that bottom growth all dead wood now? Would like to start it all over again but not sure if I can. Will try and load a pic

hogweed

I had a similar one Clematis Marjorie which was cut down all along to about 2ft. It has recovered and is yet again thriving.............

Fire

I like the idea of growing on a montana and pruning it down low every year or two.

susananwms

Thanks for that hogweed, at least I know I can go ahead this summer and cut it back.  I should have not listened to neighbour and done it earlier but at least I now know that I am not going to kill it.  

Uff

I'll second hogweed's post. I was ruthless with mine earlier this year after it blew down in one of the gales we has and it's now sprouting all over the old wood. I know it won't flower this year but at least I know it's still alive.

susananwms

I am feeling happier and happier.  Thank you UFF I can now cut back knowing that I am not killing it.  Have had my fair share of calamities in the past

AnniD

Another vote for cutting it right down, l have cut my Montana back to around a foot a couple of times, and it's come back each time. Last time was 2 years ago, and the buds are just beginning to open.

Hostafan1

you could cut the Top off,leaving about 4ft and thin some shoots right out to the ground and train the remaining shoot sideways to start a wider framework

susananwms

Thanks Hostafan that is something to consider as it is top heavy.  Will wait till after flowering and then cut back

Fairygirl

The important thing, whatever method you choose, is to try and train stems horizontally as much as you can, so that you get flowers lower down. 
I had one in a previous garden, on quite a low fence, and I did that from the start, back and forth with the stems, so that the fence was virtually invisible after a few years, and we had a wall [or fence] of flowers the full length of it, plus round the back door and the pergola at the other end. 

AnniD

In 2019, my Montana looked like this