Help - which clematis is which?

Hi everyone

Stupidly I didn't label the two different clematis plants I put in last year, one - Etoile Violette is due to be cut down to 2 buds 30/40cms.

The other variety is Alpina Frances Rivis which I believe should not be pruned.

Anyone any idea which is which? I've never uploaded pics before, so hope this works!

thanks

Wren

 

I only have Group 3 clematis (prune hard at this time of year), the Etoile Violette. Where are the new shoots coming from - near ground level?

 

I think there is no harm in pruing them both fairly hard - but obviously leaving some buds. I can't find the reference now, but there was one site that gave all the normal pruning rules, but said prune them all hard in the first year, irrespective of type.

But also if you wish don't prune them at all. It won't do them any harm. The worst than can happen is that you will get a bit of untidiness at the bottom of one with the flowers at the top. You can always sort it out next year. Pruning is largely for our aesthetic benefit, not the plant's benefit.

 

Hi Aaron, thanks for your reply. The buds are all over on both plants, there's probably 2/3 metres of 'stem' curling losely round and then up through a rambling rose.

Peter, I'm very tempted to leave them both alone this year as there are so many buds on both. I'll label them when they flower and then prune the right one next year. There are plenty of buds lower down, so I think I'll get pretty good coverage.

Thanks very much to you both.

Wren