In article ,
says...
K wrote:

Alternative is to grow clematis in large pots away from slugs (I grow in
greenhouse) until they have about 4ft of woody stem and then plant them
out. And don't cut them back lower than this. Although they still get
slug/snail damage, it's a lot less at that height, and they soon get to
a level of vigour where they are growing faster than the slugs can eat.

I note that it is generally advised to prune clematis fairly hard
after flowering, yet some of the most impressive displays I have
seen have been those where it has just been left to itself on a
wall or trellis.

Any thoughts?

Chris

There are many different sorts of Clematis several diffent ways of
pruning or tidying and no two clematis experts agree on any of it!!, and
different gardeners are willing, or not to put up with the tat in the
winter
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea