When and how to prune Clematis Montana
Key Facts:
C. montana is Group 1 for pruning. This means it does not require regular pruning.
This type of Clematis is vigorous, easily reaching 10m on maturity.
You can opt to prune Clematis montana either a) light prune or b) renovative hard prune
Always prune after flowering, which will be around June, depending on where you are in the country.
If you are thinking of planting a Clematis montana:
It is fully hardy H5
Plant in full sun or partial shade
It is best in moist well well-drained soil
Vigour does vary with variety C. montana Freda, C montana 'Marjorie', (available Suttons) and Clematis montana Van Gough are all more compact.
The Two Ways To Prune Clematis Motana
Clematis montana is one of the most popular Clematis. It is easy to grow and, unlike many other clematis, it has no complicated pruning requirements. You do not have to prune Clematis montana routinely, as it will grow happily and flower without annual pruning, unlike the summer-flowering Clematis (Groups 2 & 3).
If you need to prune, there are two ways: a) the light trim and b) hard prune.
To keep it in check and tidy, you can give it a light prune in June after flowering and no later than mid July. Just trim it back to the space required.
Because Clematis montana is one of the most vigorous of the Clematis family, it can, over the years, become large and unruly. Clematis montana will also respond to a renovative prune. Prune it back hard to reshape and resize. It is important to prune it straight after flowering to ensure you do not interrupt the flowering cycle.
C. montana responds well to pruning; cut back all shoots that are too long, and untangle them by pruning. Equally, if you are short of time, you can cut it back wholesale with garden shears and it will be fine. Clematis montana is tough. If the Clematis has become a tangled mess and is not flowering at its best, you may need to perform a hard prune.
Clematis montana flowers on old wood, which simply means that it grows stems this year on which next year's flowers form. If you prune too late in the year, you will cut off next year's potential flowers.
I particularly like Clematis montana 'Elizabeth' (illustrated above right) with soft creamy pink flowers, which are almond scented. Available from Thompson and Morgan ( affiliate link)
How to prune all other types of Clematis
How to prune an unknown variety of Clematis