Pruning clematis montana

constant-gardener

Unfortunately due to being busy with other things and then going on holiday I never got around to pruning my clematis montana (group 1) after it finished flowering and was wondering if anyone has tried pruning as late as now and what effect it will have? I don't mind if the new growth after pruning doesn't produce flowers next year but I don't want to lose the plant altogether as after a number of years growing in size it now looks stunning in Spring. Any help or advice very welcome, thanks in advance

Dave Morgan

As you say it's normally pruned after flowering, but it can be done later.You won't lose it if you do it now.

cathy43

I pruned one after flowering this year and need to prune it again! You are probably saving yourself some work The word rampant and montana are are synonymous 

Fairygirl

It'll be fine. Once established they're pretty indestructible. You often get a second flush of flowers later on which you won't get, but I doubt it'll affect it too much for next spring unless you  hack it to the ankles 

DyersEnd

I kept chopping one I had all through the year when I first moved here as it had been planted next to the garage door and was stopping me opening it.  It just grew back stronger and bigger.  Last year I cut it down to about 10 inches and sprayed it with round up because it was becoming a full time job.

Guess what - it came back again this year so I've repeated the treatment but I'm not convinced it's gone

Sorry, a long winded way of saying that you can chop it when you like, it won't mind