Clematis gone to seed

[greenerfingers]

Well that's it really. I'm trying new plants out this year (all in pots) and came out one day to notice my clematis looking an absolute mess, it looks like it has a hundred mini dandelion heads everywhere. Did I miss a trick or is it just the end of the season for some? Was I meant to dead head the flowers as they were coming and going? Will try and post a picture tomorrow, I only had it a couple weeks while it was very pretty and covered in flowers.

It's ok. They are supposed to do that. Lots of people like the fluffy seed heads. I think they are quite pretty. The plant will rest and might die back a bit over the next few months and should put on some more growth and new flowers next spring. Do you know what kind of clematis it is? Was it pink with loads and loads of flowers?

It sounds like the Montana variety, now is the time to prune it back, otherwise the lower part will get woody and unattractive. It will put on new growth through the summer and flower again next spring.

Montana is a species not a variety, although there are quite a few varieties of C montana available. But other species produce seed to, eg C alpina and its varieties.

It had white small flowers. It was something I randomly picked up from Homebase. It's a climber too (although I think all clematis are, aren't they?)

If I were to prune it, how would I go about it?

Just cut it down to where you want it to start growing for next year. They’re very amenable. We had some that reached up 20 ft into sliver birches, the tree surgeons came and pruned the trees and the clematis, which grew back within a year.

Sounds like a group 2 clematis (there are 3 groups). If you’re able to confirm this you should cut it back!