[starry]

I have one growing along and up my garden fence its the "mile a minute" variety cannot remember its proper name at the moment! buts looking very untidy, all the bits that have wound their way through the the trellis look dead as the thick stems have gone a papery beige but I know in fact they are very much alive  but the top layer of thinner brown stems which are the now coming into bud are the very untidy bit 

[Yorkie]

Does this advice from the RHS help?

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=109

[arugula]

Yes, you need to know which type you have before you decide which pruning regime to follow. That page explains it all.

[allotmentann]

Hi Starry, is it a montana, I believe they are pretty vigorous, and think that is what I have trailing through one of my fences (I inherited it). There is more information about montana clematis here:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=479

[starry]

Hi thanks folks it is a montana some how thought a montana had big flowers ! so going to decide after it has flowered whether to give it a trim or a good hard cut back !! better warn the neighbours