Clematis, this is where I struggle.

Hi everyone, my clematis is off and running and this is where I struggle, I don't know what to cut out so I leave it and end up with a tangled mess.

 

You dont cut anything out now, that time has passed
I've never seen a clematis that isn't a tangled mess, they are supposed to look like that.

 

Hi mazambo, next year, in February, when the buds are just starting to show, that's when you cut out all the old, dead stuff. Back to a nice, strong pair of buds. Then (in theory) you tie in the new shoots, well spaced out, as they grow. Theory's a wonderful thing

 

Hi @mazambo , Without knowing which one it is it's hard to say but .....these are the general rules.....

Group 1 ..... Early flowing - lightly prune after flowering.

Group 2 ..... start flowering May - prune in late February/early March

Group 3 ..... Large flowered - start flowering in June/July - prune during March. Can be cut right down to about 6 " .

Herbaceous Clematis ..... Cut to ground level at the end of Autumn.