Our deck is going to be stained with an opaque latex stain soon and both climbing hydrangea and clematis are using it as support. I know the clematis should be cut back in the spring, but can I cut them back now without killing them? Carolyn
"Carolyn LeCrone" wrote in news:b snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:
Not all Clematis benefit from being cut back. Of those that do benefit, it also depends upon what type you have. See
Not an ideal time, but both CAN be cut back. You will definitely set back the hydrangea and likely lose next season's flowers but it will recover. Most clematis can be cut back quite hard without harming the plant - nurserypeople do it all the time to keep the vines manageable and reduce tangling, but of course these are much smaller plants. It is a common practice in rejuvenating old, very tangled vines. I cut back a monster clematis armandii last October - 5 garbage cans full of clippings. It bloomed rather sparsley this spring (I was impressed it bloomed at all) but has grown back rapidly.
pam - gardengal
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.