Clematis 'Freckles'

I have a clematis (about 18 months old) called Freckles. I know it's winter flowering and has produced about 6 flowers (at different times) since November. The plant is very bare at the bottom 4' although there is new growth apearing. When should I cut this plant back and to what height please. Many thanks. Dave

 

Hi hows you ??

This is group 1 clematis so you are not meant to prune if you do only take out 1/4 of the growth late March or it may not grow back , if its bare at the base grow somthing evergreen at the bottom ie box, fern.

Hope this helps


Spruce

 

Lovely clematis oakdaledave been on my wish list for ages but nowhere to plant it , I bought a bargain arch £20, been £60!!!, from B&Q yesterday so now I have the perfect spot :happydance:.

 

Hi guys, thank you both for your replies. In the light of what you have said 'Spruce' I think I will leave it alone and see what happens. Am I right in thinking that a good feed in the spring with a seaweed based food would help it along?

 

I have the winter flowering C. Balearica which flowers from October-ish through to the spring.
The way i get around any leggy lower stems on them (and roses, lonicera and all clems) is to train the higher stems back downwards !
It works perfectly well and hides all the bareness.

I use this method on all my climbers - those which are grown on obelisks, trellis and those grown through other trees and shrubs - it's easy to bend and tie new shoots down and just keep on doing it because they grow quite vigorously when you do !