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Clematis confusion

Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031
in Plants

I have really enjoyed my C tangutica lambton park this year (only its 2nd full year) mostly because it started blooming in March and is still going now. I am told the early start was because I didn't prune right back in spring.

Is it possible to only prune a few shoots back to a foot or so  and leave others completely so that I get the advantage of an early start but don't end up with a bare bottom? Or is this not how it works.

TIA!

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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,160

    Mine is so tangled I wouldn't be able to cut some shoots and not others.

    Most years I don't do anythingimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031

    As it is just young at the mo' I managed to train half of the shoots to the left, the other to the right. I wouldn't mind cutting all the left ones down to maintain the bushy bottom and just lightly prune the right hand shoots.

    Don't suppose the regime will last long.image

  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568

    If you've only had it for about 2 years, It's about about 4 years old, right? C. tangutica is not one of the most vigorous Clematis in UK. I'd be inclined to leave it alone. See how it behaves. If next Spring it shows no signs of growth from the base just leave it alone. If there is growth, cut back all the top growth. This may delay flowering until late Summer.

    18 months from now. If you haven't done so before, cut it back hard. This is risky as you may kill it but the alternative is you have a rather untidy lanky specimen. Good luck. Ian.

    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,200

    Nobody told my Clematis tangutica Bill Mackenzie he wasn't supposed to be vigorous! He is the most rampant of Clematis in my garden, and is only 4 years old. image

    ...... and I live in the North West of England!

    Last edited: 09 August 2016 07:06:27

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790

    Lambton Park is an excellent cultivar and very vigorous, I don't chop the ' yellows ' back until April, when I can see some new growth, some do not seem happy to be pruned hard back whilst still dormant. My veitchiana is only just starting to flower and should be in bloom until late October. Ladybird is spot on about Bill Mackenzie.   Bill is a bit of a thug here, but a fantastic plant with masses of  ' Tina Turner ' seedheads.

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489

    Love rampant Bill McKenzie and its seed heads shining in the sun.. . . used to prune it but now just let it scramble over shrubs in a corner..

    SW Scotland
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,200

    What a brilliant description of the seed heads Richard! image I love him too Joyce and never prune him.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134

    I never like a bare bottom Daisy...image... oh, your clematis you mean...image

    I love  the seed heads on some clematis too. The ones on (alpina) Constance are beautiful and a welcome sight when I pass them every day on my way to the back gate in late spring/early summer.

    Great description Richard! 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,200

    Cheeky FG!

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134

    Sorry L'bird...image   

    I've smacked my wrist... image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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