Clematis pruning?

[Annie456]

Hi all!
I question about pruning my clematis....I'm quite new to clematis growing and took a deep breath in march a d cut many of the to the ground. Sure enough they have come back with lots more stems and are starting to look ready to climb. However, I'm wondering if it's necessary to do this every year? I am growing them to cover fences and it seems very bare to cut them down and wait for them to grow EACH YEAR?!!
I just planted a Montana which I don't cut down but I know my garden can only handle so many of those.

I have an ugly tree that I need to keep for shade / privacy and thought about growing a clematis up it but now wondering if I'll need to cut it back each year? Presumably a Montana type would smother the tree? Any ideas on varieties welcome!

Thanks
Annie

Montanas don't need pruning and grow rapidly.They flower in spring.Viticellas are good for growing through trees -i have just planted 4.They will flower in June/July to sept.Viticellas need to be cut off just above ground level and some will also grow in shade.Why don't you phone up Taylors Clematis for advice?They are clematis experts and will recommend types suitable for the particular situation.

Annie, about your clematis, I have just bought 3 to plant to grow to cover a fence. Just wondering if I should put some net on the fence for them to climb up or will they be ok? Its a pretty standard board/plank fence with small gaps between each board.

Annie, a montana can be pruned but you don't need to prune it. I think it will work fine on a tree (unless you have a very small tree) and if it takes over you prune it every two or three years. Best time to do so is immediately after it has finished flowering. Cut away all top growth by about 2 thirds, then select a few stems to keep, 3 or 4 should do and cut the rest down to about a foot. Tie in the surviving stems, give a slow release feed and you should have flowers again next year. They grow amazingly fast. There are a couple of clematis that to do quite well in semi shade, Guernsey Cream (white flowers) is a good example.

Nearlyready, yes, some support is needed. I would attach a few bits of treated roofing timer or 2 x 2, to the fence and then staple some clematis netting on to it. If you bought a group 3 clematis which gets cut back hard in spring, you can use pea and bean netting.

If you check the plant label for your clematis it should give you the final size of your plant and you can choose the overall size of your netting accordingly.