Training/supporting clematis

[funnyperson]

The clematis growing up my garden fence and into the trees are getting a bit rampant and where I have different varieties growing near each other they are intertwining with each other and with the honeysuckle.

When you prune your clematis do you cut it back to a few main supporting stems which you tie back to trelllis? What shaped trellis is best if you use trellis? I use wire and vine eyes and tie the clematis in, which is fine but no real shape to the trained plant results.

If you use obelisks what obelisks have stood the test of time? Wood or metal?

[funnyperson]

All the spring flowering clematis in my garden are putting on new growth at present: Integrifolia, Wisley cream, Broughton star, Montana Elizabeth, Jingle bells, Avalanche and Marjorie. The only one which flowered this year (the first since I planted them all in early spring) was Montana Elizabeth, so I am hoping for great things next spring if they survive the winter. They are the ones against the fence mainly.

Countess of Wessex is my large flowered clematis, should I prune her now? She is the one I'm thinking of training up an obelisk.

Polish Spirit (north east facing fence) has failed to flower yet again this year and Viticella Abundance (north west facing fence) is flowering in its second year. I'm guessing I should feed them more. They both clamber up against the fence and are staying there.

[itsnothingoriginal]

What type of clematis do you have? When did they flower? If evergreen you need only to prune lightly after flowering but you can prune the spring and summer flowering clematis harder than that. Try looking at the Gardeners World website as much more advice!

I have loads of clematis around the garden and also use wire and vine eyes to support it as all of my clematis have become quite rampant and have pulled trellis off the fence!

I've found metal obelisks longer lasting than wood but the wood ones can be stained/painted and they look lovely!