Changing an arch with a clematis on it

[DesolateWaist]

I've got an arch in my garden which currently has a clematis growing on it. It's a super quick growing one.
The problem is that the arch was one of those super cheap thin metal ones and it collapsing.
I want the replace it. Is there any chance of saving the clematis?
Also, the arch will be going into the lawn. How do I fix it in?

[Kr1stina]

Wait until all these leaves have fallen off the plant in the autumn . Then untie / detangle it from the arch. Once you have the new arch in place, you can tie it back on and trim some of the longer bits .

Lots will get broken anyway .water it well now and feed and water in the spring . You won't get many flowers next year as it flowers on the wood made this year but it will be fine the next year if you feed it .

You can always plant another clematis beside or opposite it. If you get one that flowers in the late summer , you cut it back to a foot each spring so it won't get tangled up with the other one .

How you fix the new arch depends on what it's made of and what it's going into .

[Kr1stina]

Sorry I forgot to say that I'm assuming your plant is a Clematis Montana that flowers in the spring. Can you google images and check if I'm right ?

Does it have pink or white flowers and red green foliage ?

[DesolateWaist]

I'm going to get a wooden arch, I think and it's going straight onto the lawn.

I think the clematis is Montana. Flowers in the spring, little droopy pink flowers.

[JT05]

We had a fantastic 20 year old clematis Montana that hung across 6 Silver Birch trees. When the trees need severe pruning the climatis was cut down to the thick brown stumps. The next year it sent up multiple shoots and the following year it was flowering again.

[PaintedDrivesAndPolishedGrass]

It all Depends on how you want it to look for the rest of the year.

If you want the foliage etc then do as pp suggested but if you want to sort it out now for next year ,as it has already flowered-then you can cut it right back ( 6 inches above ground, as long as the stem is thicker than a ballpoint pen) replace the arch and then it will come back and WILL flower next year. Montana are very forgiving and difficult to kill.

[Kr1stina]

Montana aren't droopy flowers , do you mean like a little bell ? More like an alpina .

[Kr1stina]

Or a clematis macropetela

[DesolateWaist]

Like a little bell, yes. I'm not very good at plants.

[DesolateWaist]

I didn't plant it, it was here when we moved in.

[Kr1stina]

Even if you had planted, You would probably have lost the label. I know I always do

Dont worry, there are hundreds of clematis and they can be confusing even to an experienced gardener

[DesolateWaist]

I googled those clematis mentioned above and it's none of those. Tiny little flowers in a clump, the are very light pink and all look like round bells.

[Kr1stina]

I don't know , there are lots of other clematis that look like little bells , but the flowers are indivual and they are herbaceous ( don't climb ) or are summer or winter flowering or they are yellow.

However there are hundreds and I'm no expert

We need a photo of the leaves and a close up of the flowers please . I know it's not flowering right now but I'm guessing you have some from the spring?

[Kr1stina]

Is it like any of these ?

[PurpleWithRed]

That leaf on your photo doesn't look very clematis-like to me - can we have a closeup please? But if it's ended up as a long thin stalk that's bare and twines up to the leafy bit with all the green growth and flowers at the top then it's going to be one that flowers on new growth so you are safe to,cut it right back to 6". It will just resprout new growth and you will get flowers and leaves right down to ground level. Mine all get hacked back that way every year.

[DesolateWaist]

Perhaps it isn't a clematis at all. I just assumed it was. I'll get a close up later.

[DesolateWaist]

Here are some pictures, with my hand in for scale.

[Kr1stina]

I agree with purple , I don't think it's a clematis .

Is it evergreen or deciduous ? When does it flower exactly ? Do the leaves go red in the autumn ? What shade of pink are the flowers ?

[DesolateWaist]

Too many questions! I'll look back through some pictures and see what I can find.
It flowers around Easter. The flowers are small and green/purple.

[DesolateWaist]

I can't find and pictures of it from earlier in the year. I think it flowers around May though now I think about it.

[DesolateWaist]

It doesn't lose its leaves but it does die back. It's grown like fury this year.

[PurpleWithRed]

this?

[PurpleWithRed]

or this?

[DesolateWaist]

Sorry Purple neither of those.

[Kr1stina]

Is is this one ?

Akebia quintata

[Kr1stina]

Akebia longeracemosa