My Romantika clematis is a huge monster. I haven't pruned it in years because I like the look of a huge monster clematis. Now, however, the pillar that was holding it up has fallen apart, and I'd like to remove it and replace it with a new pillar. I'll have to prune the vine to get all of the broken pieces of the pillar out. It's been so long since I pruned it that it now has woody growth about 3 or 4 feet up. I know that I can cut into woody growth on a group 1 clematis, but can I do that with Romantika, which is group 3? I seem to remember reading somewhere that pruning cuts into woody growth should be avoided.

Though I've read the same thing, about not cutting into the woody stems, you have no choice. How else could you possibly do the pruning without cutting into the woody stems?

Since I cut my group 3 clem's to about 9" in late winter, I would think you could do the same with your lush Romantika.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/...

Thanks, Pirl. Just to be on the safe side, maybe I'll cut into the woody growth of only half the stems. That should leave me enough space to take out the old trellis sections. The other half can be pruned the same way next year if all goes well.

The half you cut back just may surprise you with super abundant new growth. A drink of Epsom Salt in spring would encourage more new stems.

That brings back memories of a week-long chore. I used to apply Epsom salt to all of my clems and roses in spring, but that was when the Dollar Store carried it in a sizable container for a dollar. I can't afford the new price of Epsom salt, especially now that I'm retired.

Romantika certainly has done quite well without it!

Wow great photo Zuzu! Now I have to figure out what group my clems are in!

Just look them up in our Clematis Database, Greg. The entries say which group they're in.

oh good to know!! Thanks Zuzu

It was Zuzu's plant that impelled me to buy mine and it is one of my favorites.