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Gardening

Naughty clematis

(39 Posts)
BlueBelle Fri 25-Aug-17 10:18:38

Any information will be gratefully received
I have had a clematis for 15 -20 years that has never flowered last year I had two large trees cut down that were close to it and this year without the competition it has gone absolutely mad it's covered a nearby shed and all over a wall it's healthy very green and growing on an hourly rate like a blooming triffid but still not a sign of a flower
Should I prune it back really hard this autumn ( is that the right time) or what do you all think ?

BlueBelle Sun 27-Aug-17 11:38:27

No I ve got one of those not thick enough leaves Elegran and it's never gone red
Oh blimey I m now going to Google old mans beard
I went on a photograph plant identifier and that did suggest clematis but..........

Elegran Sun 27-Aug-17 11:20:34

Better photo - www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/single_weed.php?id=35

Elegran Sun 27-Aug-17 11:19:25

Virginia creeper - thesquirrelnutwork.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/five-leaf-vine/

Elegran Sun 27-Aug-17 11:17:48

Virginia creeper? Because of the five leaves. Or are the leaves too thick and dark?

loopylou Sun 27-Aug-17 10:42:41

I'm wondering if it's wild clematis aka Old Man's Beard?
I hope I'm wrong I have been guilty of carefully cultivating weeds before now!

BlueBelle Sun 27-Aug-17 07:30:22

Not my head my HAND ????

BlueBelle Sun 27-Aug-17 07:30:04

Last evening I dug my head into the undergrowth just to see how deep it is It nearly came up to my elbow in depth of foliage BUT one trail of foliage has some little buds ? Could they be Is this more of a clue kind ladies ( and gents)?

J52 Sat 26-Aug-17 17:38:56

clematis are strange! I'm loading up two photos the first one is the leaves of my spring flowering Grandiflora.
The second is called Propertius and should flower in the spring, but it has buds on now! Both were newly planted earlier in the summer.

Norah Sat 26-Aug-17 17:27:58

It does not look like clematis, but I also have no idea what it is. Lovely cover.

merlotgran Sat 26-Aug-17 10:23:42

They look like palmate leaves so try Cissus striata.

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 09:45:07

Just looked campus radicals up and it's not the same leaf merlotgran

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 09:42:48

Merlotgran I think it's deciduous but I ve never taken much notice as it's never grown like this before just a weak little old thing till the trees were cut down it's just 'BEEN THERE' so to speak for 15 odd years but really just a nonentity this year it's gone man like a triffid but I ll let you know if the leaves drop at the moment there is still new growth every day

merlotgran Sat 26-Aug-17 09:30:00

The leaf looks like Campsis radicans. Is it deciduous or evergreen?

MawBroon Sat 26-Aug-17 09:16:48

I never know what to do so I just cut off what annoys me. That could be why other people's clematis (es?) always look so much better.

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 09:05:55

No definitely not red or orange I m pretty sure the leaves drop off I m a bit vague as it's never been all this greenery before A bit unremarkable in previous years but as I said since removing the trees from near it this year it's gone totally mad

Maranta Sat 26-Aug-17 08:57:33

It looks more like a Parthenociccus. Do the leaves go bright red in autumn?

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 08:14:00

when It flowers you ll know it's a clematis

Anya it's never flowered in 15+ years hence my post

J52 Sat 26-Aug-17 08:06:39

Interesting comments about not pruning Montanas. As a rule I would agree, hence the 30 ft one climbing up the silver birch.
But about 6 years ago the Silver Briches had necessary pruning, in the winter, and the tree surgeons cut down the Montana. I was really upset, as all that was left were two thick brown stumps.
That spring, new growth appeared and within 2 years they were back up the tree, better than ever.
Looking at the leaves I'd definitely say it's a clematis.

Anya Sat 26-Aug-17 07:58:22

Give it a severe talking to. Threaten it. I did this with my plum tree last year and we had fruit for the first time ever.

When it flowers then you'll know if it's a clematis.

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 06:57:53

I have taken a mature leaf (dark green) and a new snippet and now really curious ?
What do you all think

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 06:49:16

Hi Nellie I have no idea what it is, it was not planted by me
As you can see by my original post it has never had a flower on it my whole point of asking the original question
I will take a leaf close up for you all to see

I do have a honeysuckle and the leaves are not alike Hilltopgran although of course that doesn't mean it's not one of a different variety

This is becoming a mystery now

Nelliemoser Fri 25-Aug-17 23:52:35

What type of clematis is it? They are grouped by type depending when they flower. If they are pruned at the wrong time you might cut off all next seasons flowers .

Actually you cannot see the leaves or the flowers which would give a clue to what sort of climber it is. Can you get a really good close up?

Hilltopgran Fri 25-Aug-17 22:56:38

It looks similar to the evergreen honeysuckle I inherited in my garden, grows like a triffed when its happy and flowers very small and easy to miss!

BlueBelle Fri 25-Aug-17 21:20:30

Oh that's interesting I always thought it was I ll take a close up of a leaf tomorrow Maybe that's why it hasn't flowered ?

Jalima1108 Fri 25-Aug-17 21:11:15

I don't think the leaves look like clematis