13 JULY 2019AMATEUR GARDENING 7In the pink: After renovating our pink Clematis montana
a few years ago, it has now returned to its former glory with
an annual profusion of blooms.Hard-pruning a clematis
O
UR well-established white
Clematis montana used
to flower abundantly in
early summer, but we’ve
seen a drop in its performance
over the past two years.
It was looking straggly and
unkempt, its centre just a
tangle of bare stems with a
pitiful number of blooms.
It was time for drastic
action and complete
renovation, cutting the plant
right back to its base. Luckily,
Clematis montana is a variety that
responds well to hard pruning straight
after flowering, shooting forth new,
vigorous growth and quickly returning
to its flowering grandeur.
There are no hard-and-fast rules
about how to cut back clematis. I find
the easiest way is to shear off the fresh
green growth and work inwards.
The trickiest part can be
cutting entwined stems free
from their trellis or support.
Our clematis was growing
through old plastic netting,
which was being pulled
off the wall by the weight of
the plant. It was easy to snip
through the mesh and remove it
altogether, to be replaced by a more
lasting and attractive wooden trellis.
The tools you will need for this job
include secateurs, shears and loppers,
sturdy gloves and a stable platform or
ladder to help you reach the top growth.Clematis montana are easy to rejuvenate, says Ruth
Hard pruning seems drastic but be brave,
and your plant will thank you with fl owers1
Start by shearing away the
external soft green growth.
Shears are also useful to cut
through the thinnest inner stems.2
Secateurs and loppers make
easy work of cutting through
thicker, older stems.3
You should end up with a
spray of stems 1-2ft (30-60cm)
tall. Cut away thin, spindly growth,
leaving the robust stems in place.4
Finally, feed the plant with a
granular fertiliser, fork it in and
water well. Don’t hard-prune the
plant again for at least three years.Pruning
a clematis
Start on the outside and work inStep
by stepHard-pruning a clematis
Our unproductive
Clematis montanaShears are ideal for
removing soft growthearly summer, but we’ve
seen a drop in its performance
green growth and work inwards.
The trickiest part can be
cutting entwined stems free
from their trellis or support.
Our clematis was growing
through old plastic netting,
which was being pulled
off the wall by the weight of
the plant. It was easy to snip
through the mesh and remove it
altogether, to be replaced by a moreAlways stand on a
stable platformClematis offcuts are ideal for adding
to the compost heap because they are
a mix of green and brown materials.Keep your compost healthy in summer
However, if the plant was very large,
too much of it may overwhelm the
compost heap and slow it down, so
only add some and take the rest to
your local gardening recycling centre.
Keep your compost working in
summer by adding a balance of green
and brown garden materials (grass
clippings, deadheads, weeds and
any chopped-up prunings).
Turn it regularly and water it in very
dry weather.Add your clematis
remnants to the
compost heap