Clematis Mr President

Morning everyone, can any of you tell me if it's o.k. to pinch out the top of my clematis as it's reached the top of the trellis it's on and i'm a bit concerned it might start invading the garage wall it's against.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Hi josie ... lovely to see you back with us ... xx

I had Mr President when I lived in Bucks but I don't know what you can do with Clematis .... I think it would be nice invading the garage ..... :hehe: I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than myself can assist you here.

 

I'd like to know too! I planted a baby clematis last year that has shot up to 6 foot, but few side shoots and a couple of buds at the very top. Too late for this year (I'd like to see blooms!) but would be good to know for next spring.

 

"Too late for this year (I'd like to see blooms!)"

Isn't Mr President nearly over, already ??

I think Mr President is one of the early flowering hybrids, so it produces flowers from last year's wood. If prune back in early Spring to a strong bud, from which the flowers will come.

All clematis should be encouraged to produce plenty of main stems, near the base, otherwise you just get a single stem growing forever! so cut back to 12" or so the first Spring after planting, and any shoots that don't fork could be lightly cut back a bit later to encourage more branching.

 

Sorry, mine is a late flowering one. It got planted over winter, was tiny and I didn't want to cut it back, as there was so little growth on it.

 

Ah, mine is called "The President" - I wonder if that is different?

Picture was taken a week ago