Jeanne Stockdale wrote in message ...
The external walls of our house are about to be re-painted. However,
several
areas are currently covered with roses/clematis/ivy/winter flowering
jasmine

I am happy to completely strip down and get rid of the ivy but don't
want
to lose the rest. If I prune these down to ground level, will this
cause any
problems, and how long before everything grows up again?

Jeanne Stockdale.

Most clematis will grow again if cut down hard, and some even need it
every year. Montana, which is usually classed as a no prune clematis
will re-grow even after a very severe pruning, mine has been taken down
to a single stem twice in the last 5 years, and is still back to a big
plant. Climbing roses often benefit from a severe prune, I have seen
ones that are over a hundred years old and have survived, and flourished
after a very severe pruning.

Mike
www.british-naturism.org.uk