Re: [SG] Sweet Autumn Clematis in trouble

Nancy:

You CAN cut autumn clematis back and I would recommend thinning out some
of the shoots to the ground. The only problem is untangling the severely
tangled stems! Inevitably you miss one or two and end up with some dead
bits in what's left of the live plant. Then you have to pick those out.

Three of these thugs on one trellis IS a bit much. One would be better.
I hope the trellis is just a cheapie, because there's a chance that it
will be crushed or at least damaged.

I forget your location, but around here they punctually bloom at the end
of August. One sees entire YARDS covered with this plant. It's somewhat
reminiscent of kudzu. Also, seedlings will spring up all over the yard and
they are difficult to uproot.

If you want to keep some clematis, another alternative would be to cut it
ALL back to the ground the moment it has finished blooming but before it
has set seed. It will come back next year. I admit it is beautiful, but
not easy to control.

Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6
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