What are these plants, and how do I not kill them!

[Stuart101]

Hi, you'll probably guess from the title of this thread that I know next to nothing about gardening! I bought my first house in August, which has a small front yard.

On the front wall is some kind of creeper, a clamatis I'm told but I'm not sure.

In the corner is some kind of bush with flowers.

I've attached pictures of both.

Firstly, what are these plants?

Secondly, what should I do with them for winter. The photos were taken two weeks ago before the cold weather set in here in Belfast. Both are looking a lot more unsightly now. I assume they just need pruned? How much do I prune off, I obviously don't want to kill them. Any advice grealt appreciated.

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[despen]

Bush Hydrangea. Vine Clematis.

Not necessary to do anything.

Either one can be pruned back a bit if you don't like the mess.

[David Hare-Scott]

them back when they get long and straggling.

David

[gardengal]

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The identifications are correct but the care instructions leave something to be desired. Both the hydrangea and clematis flowering are affected by the timing of any pruning. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) bloom on growth that was produced the previous year - pruning any more severe than removing the old flower heads now will effectively remove any flower buds. I generally suggest pruning be kept to a minimum on these shrubs to avoid this problem but you can research rejuvenation pruning to reduce size over a period of time.

Clematis are grouped into various pruning groups and methods depending on when they bloom. Late blooming clematis, such as this one appears to be, are typically pruned back to the third set of buds from the ground in late winter/early spring.......or about the same time forsythia blooms in your area. Pruning these vines is not a requirement but if left unpruned, they can develop very woody, leggy growth with foliage and flowers concentrated very high on the plant.