[liz from the fizz]

The clematis are careering up the wall and into the canopy of the old apple tree, which has an ancient rose and a white jasmin growing up around and through. I can only get to the lower part of the clematis which has formed lots of dead twigs. Your advice please.  

[splodger]

i would gladly give you some advice on pruning the clematis - but it would help to know what variety it is as there are slightly different rules to pruning for these climbers.

[liz from the fizz]

cant help with name as they were here when we moved in.

Splodger i have sent you a pm.

[ziggywigs]

There are three distinct groups of clematis for pruning purposes. Group 1 consists of those that flower early in the year, group 2 consists of the early large-flowering hybrids which flower in early summer, group 3 consists of those which flower from mid-summer onwards.

Group 1
These clematis flower on stems which grew the previous year. This group are only lightly pruned in order to keep them within bounds and removing any damaged stems.

Group 2
This group consists of all the early large-flowering hybrids. They flower in early summer on stems which grew the previous year. Light pruning will keep them in bounds and stimulate new growth.

Group 3
This group produces flowers from stems produced in the same season and consists of all those that flower mid to late season. This group is relatively simple to prune - simply cut back the main stems in late winter to 25cm (10in) from ground level.

Hope this helps...it's not as complicated as it sounds. You just need to know which group they are in.