Pruning clematis

[The Cats]

I have two clematis at the moment, both May/June flowering:

1 x C. montana grandiflora - instructions say prune in Feb/March
1 x C. montana alba - instructions say prune after flowering

Both say prune to 30cm(1ft) in year 1; 100cm(3ft) in year 2. Is this
correct?

Now, I have never succeeded with clematis before (not unless you count
'brown and crispy' a joy to behold), but these two are doing fine after
planting out in about May this year. The Alba is more vigorous, but I'm
told this is normal. I'm looking forward to beautiful white flowers from
both next year.

I plan to plant a few more clematis next year; C. armandii, C. cirrhosa
balearica, C. alpina, C. macropetala (recommendations from this newsgroup,
thanks to the Sarah, Sacha and Shirley) along with a few other climbers.
How would I prune these, just the clematis?

looking forward to the advice

sally

[Karen.Mountford]

The Cats wrote:

Sally,

You only need to prune these montana types if they outgrow their position.
They are very vigorous and if you can't grow these then there is seriously no
hope for you :-)

I am very surprised that one of them says prune in feb, all montana types
flower on the shoots produced the previous year so if you want flower it is
essential to prune them immediately after flowering, this give the plant the
rest of the summer to produce new shoots to flower the following year.

If they are new I wouldn't prune them at all, and certainly not now. Leave
them this year and prune them after they have flowered next year if they need
it.

I have a cirrhosa balearica which has been severely pruned for me by the
earwigs. Little b******s. I am sitting with bated breath to see if it recovers
:-(

As for the others I haven't grown any of them yet so can't advise with any
certainty, but I don't think the Armandii should be pruned unless it is too big
either. I am sure others will tell you.

Karen (Coatsl Suffolk)
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