Clematis newbie - advice needed

Is it possible to keep montana clematis at a lesser height than their stated mature height?

My posts are only 6ft high, although there is then a 6ft'ish length of rope for them to grow across (I'm trying to create a clematis swag in a semi shaded area).

The other alternative I guess is the alpinas (shorter and many are shade tolerant), but for my purposes I think the montanas would look better.

 

Montana is a thug. Great for growing up a barn wall, and right across the roof! I think it might be a bit much for a 6' post and 6' swag rope ... but there are plenty of other Clematis that would be more modest in their growth, and look lovely too :thumb:

 

You could probably trim them to keep them within bounds for a few years at least. But you might lose some flowers and it would seem a shame when they are so abundant and full of life to curb them!

 

Hi, my neighbour has his growing over a 6ft fence. They seem to spread outwards every year. They look lovely

 

Thanks all - I feared as much :(

Looks like I'll have to go for an alpina then (I don't want any pruning). Trouble is they all seem to flower before my rose hedge (planted beneth the swag). White Moth might be OK though as it is a bit more 'showy' than many of the alpinas. (I love delicate bell shaped flowers, but I don't think they'd be quite right for the swag). Ho hum.

 

Mithril, why not go for a C. cirrhosa, it`s evergreen and winterflowering, so will give you a nice splash of colour on a drab winters day. Variety " Jingle Bells " is very nice.

 

I've just looked Jingle Bells up and it's lovely. Not sure if it would cope with east or north facing though?

 

You could look at Clematis viticella 'Purpurea Plena Elegans', I love this clematis, it's extremley vigorous once established and will reach 3m+ from being cut back to near ground level in a single season.

Although normally one that is pruned back hard you could just prune it back to about half way up a post to ensore plenty of growth on the rope.

I grew one up a 6ft post initially and then along some rope I attached due to it's vigour.

 

Mithril, cirrhosa is a WINTER plant, so will take the cold.:yess: