Help much appreciated....

I'm sure this is a clematis of some sort??? Not sure how-when to prune/tidy?



Also...

 

I think the bottom picture is a Hellebore, bushy low level plant, if I am right I would remove the leaves with black marks on, can`t see any flower buds and they flower in winter. Hellebore/RHS Gardening
The clematis I will bow to any one elses opinion, if you want to start now you could remove a chunk off the top, wait until you can see growth buds as low as possible, and remove everything else above.

 

Until the Clematis (which is what it looks like) flowers it is hard to know how to prune. Rule is simple. If it flowers before June, don't prune. However, you could take out any dead parts now.
The Hellebore needs all its old leaves removing about now. It no longer needs them and then the flowers will be visible.

 

Hellebore x hybridus......
We used to leave the leaves on over the winter to protect the flower buds.
Then in January before the flowers opened we removed every single leaf neatly right back to the base...it used to take ages. (It is a job for a sunny mild day....sit down next to the plant and get acquainted!)
Old leaves can cause fungal problems...they look ugly by January.
The flowers can then be seen in full glory.
New leaves will grow after.

Straggy climber...do add pics to this thread when it flowers.

 

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the info. There are quite a few flower buds at the base of the hellebore. It is -3 and thick frost out this morning so will put off cutting back the leaves yet...would the frost likely damage the buds or would it be ok to trim the leaves back?

The clematis....well I can't work out which bit is dead and which bit is alive-it all looks dry and dead to me but it can't be. I'll have to wait til it flowers I guess.

 

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the info. There are quite a few flower buds at the base of the hellebore. It is -3 and thick frost out this morning so will put off cutting back the leaves yet...would the frost likely damage the buds or would it be ok to trim the leaves back?

The clematis....well I can't work out which bit is dead and which bit is alive-it all looks dry and dead to me but it can't be. I'll have to wait til it flowers I guess.

 

Frost/cold won't hurt the flowers on the Hellebore.
They are rather slow to bulk up.
Each year you will get more leaves..more flowers.
Your's looks a very strong old plant.

 

There's a few of them that size which is good! I'll get out there in the sun and cut the leaves back now the frost has melted!

 

That's really good to know @shiney We have quite a few slugs along that pathway so fingers crossed it will help!

 

I'm going to stick my neck out on the clematis. It looks like one of the montanas to me, though I could be wrong. If I am right, it will flower about May. Prune, as hard as you like after flowering.

 

You may be right.....we moved into the house mid july and there weren't any flowers on it...

 

Trimmed back hellebores

 

Oooh good! Thanks for pics.
You have made a jolly neat job of removing leaves.
Look at all those flowers buds just waiting to grow and open.
Looks as if flowers are going to be white.
I find de-leafing Hellebores rather theraputic and satisfying.

Now you may want to add more..pink, yellow, purple.....plain and spotted.
Single flowers and doubles....warning they can be addictive!
Bumble bees love the flowers.

helleborus x hybridus flowers - Google Search