"Chris Boulby" wrote
snip
The only problem I find with the advice in your last para above is that
they generally put on the growth that needs to be checked later in the
season, more so that just after flowering. I'm afraid I have to cut it
back again and again to keep it in its place during the summer, and I
know I risk losing flowers, but when they get really big, it has to be
done. I've got several triffids here, and they must be cut back almost
weekly in the summer if I'm not to find everything else entangled in
their tendrils :-)

Morning, Chris,

I understand the problem well: The montanas can be brutes, particularly
in confined spaces, and there's no reason why they shouldn't be cut back
in the autumn if you need to restrict them. Generally, the alpinas and
macropetalas are less vigorous, but I have know these get out of hand too,
over a period of years.

Incidentally, for those who like montanas but don't have too much space to
spare, I've found C. montana 'Freda' is a good bet. It has a much
stronger colour than most of the pink montanas and tends to be less
rampant (though no less healthy). It's been around for a few years now.


- Tom.