The Montana group is one of the favorite clematis for hobby gardeners. Their busy growth and relatively short flowering period always raise eyebrows when it comes to pruning. Here we explain how to properly cut the mountain clematis Clematis montana.
How do you cut the Clematis Montana correctly?
To prune the Clematis Montana correctly, start only after 1-2 years, prune after flowering in June or July and limit pruning to a few tendrils. Older specimens can be cut regularly and dead wood removed to prevent baldness.
Pruning mountain clematis after flowering – if at all
One of the typical characteristics of a Clematis montana is that it blooms in early spring on the previous year's wood. If the scissors are used in late winter, a large proportion of the buds are lost. The entire clematis group is therefore assigned to cutting group 1, which is to be cut according to this scheme:
- Prune mountain clematis after flowering in June, July at the latest
- Only start cutting after 1-2 years
- Ideally limit the pruning to a few tendrils
Clematis montana are therefore not cut every year while they are still young. Older specimens, however, tend to become bald from below, so scissors are regularly used after flowering. It's not just a matter of limiting linear growth. At the same time, all dead wood is carefully thinned out so that light and air reach all areas of the clematis again.
Cutting in the year of planting
Regardless of its assignment to a pruning group, experienced hobby gardeners prescribe a build-up pruning to a freshly planted clematis. This takes place in November/December of the planting year by shortening the young shoots to 20 or 30 centimeters. The reward for this effort is revealed in a lush, vital branching right from the start.
The right cut
If pruning a Clematis montana is deemed necessary, the actual cutting becomes the focus of interest. To ensure that the clematis continues to sprout and branch vigorously after cutting, place the scissors 2-3 mm above an outward-facing eye. A slight slant allows rain and irrigation water to drain more quickly, which helps prevent illness.
Tips & Tricks
A mighty Clematis montana forms a perfect partnership with tall trees. Plant the young clematis next to the tree in late summer in a bottomless bucket to avoid root competition. The first tendrils are attached to the lower branches with a rope so that the climbing plant thrives in the desired direction.
