Clematis

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help me

My clematis has beautiful growth on the top. Its not flowering brilliantly and under neath it has a lot of dead stuff. Is it best to hack it right back or thin it out.

 

hello sally ann, welcome to the forum. Have you any idea's which clematis you have??? or post a photo of flower for us to see which it is. Different clematis require pruning at different times I think.

 

Hi Sally-Ann, and welcome to the site.:thumb:

 

Hi Sally-Ann. I'll leave the technical clematis stuff to the brains of the site and just wish you a warm hello for now!

Cookie!

 

Hi Sally-ann and welcome to GC. Another new member with no fixed abode I see. Is this a fashion?

 

Hello & welcome Sally Ann.

As GlenW said, different Clematis should be pruned at different times of the year, and some not at all. There are 3 specific groups. I am by no means a Clematis expert, but I don't think May is the best time to prune any. I think it's correct that Clematis don't like red hot sun, particularly towards the lower part of the plant, close to their roots. I have decorative rocks placed at the base of ours, to shelter them, and it seems to suit them.

Regards, Beki

 

to the forum Sally-Ann.Hel.xxx.

 

Sally-ann. If you have dead growth at the base of your clematis, then cut it out. This is nothing to do with pruning. Dead wood wants removing.

But seriously you really should post your area if you want help. The difference between North Scotland and Cornwall is tremendous and even between Scarborough and Leeds. GC does not ask you to show a location for spying. It is to advise correctly.