cutting back a clematis

My mum has on in her garden (which were going to do some work on this weekend (weather permiting)) and I was wondering if it's ok to prune it now or is it best left till the spring?

Jo x

 

Has it flowered?

 

I don't think it's flowered this year, she's not great with plants (she's great at killing peace lillys, lol) so that's why I've been called in.

 

There is a rule of thimb with clematis`s.

But now I am trying to remember it I am blowed if I can.

Something to do with flowering vefore June then prune in Autumn, after June prune in spring.

Dagnammit-I knew it when I asked when it flowered.

 

Any idea of the variety, Jo. If not, do you know if it`s supposed to have large or small, flowers?

 

David, it has small flowers but no idea of the variety.

Claire, been to mums today and it's in flower, oops, lol

 

Small flowers usually mean Montana, which don`t really need pruning, just a trim to keep it tidy.:thumb:

 

As Dai says, if it is a Montana, it should be quite vigorous, however, as it has been there for some time, it will probably need a tidy up.

Let it flower, tie it where you want it to grow and then cut back any winter damaged stems in spring. If you do it earlier you will (according to another sourse) lose a whole flowering season

 

What about Honeysuckle. Its its first year in my garden though it was a few foot high when I bought it and now its over 6 foot. It flowered quite early this year. Maybe June maybe earlier.

 

Same with honeysuckle, just give it a trim to keep it tidy.:thumb:

 

:o Afraid I gave my Clem's and Honeysuckle a battering last week...They are growing over a post and wire fence and they are so vigorous there was a danger of an Eclipse:D

 

I have to admit, I will be taking the hedge trimmer to my honeysuckle, but don`t you lot do this at home, I`m a profesional.:lollol:

 

:D And me!

 

Nick, you are a sadist.:thumb:

 

I love nothing better than a nice sunny day and a pair of Secators in my hand.
I could prune all day.
My friend says I'm a frustrated wannabe hairdresser.:lollol:
Love to cut the shapes and sometimes I do go a bit to far.
I've got some long handled ones now. :D