What are these plants, and how do I not kill them!

 


Hi, you'll probably guess from the title of this thread that I know next
to
nothing about gardening! I bought my first house in August, which has
a small
front yard.

On the front wall is some kind of creeper, a clamatis I'm told but I'm
not sure.

In the corner is some kind of bush with flowers.

I've attached pictures of both.

Firstly, what are these plants?

Secondly, what should I do with them for winter. The photos were taken
two weeks
ago before the cold weather set in here in Belfast. Both are
looking a lot more
unsightly now. I assume they just need pruned? How
much do I prune off, I
obviously don't want to kill them. Any advice
grealt appreciated.


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|Filename:
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|Download:
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|Filename: Bush
2.jpg                                               |
|Download:
http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid 243|
|Filename:
Creeper 2.jpg                                            |
|Download:
http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid 244|
|Filename:
Creeper 3.jpg                                            |
|Download:
http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid 245|
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--
Stuart101

 



Bush Hydrangea.
Vine Clematis.


Not necessary to do anything.

Either one can be pruned back a bit if you don't like the mess.

 

Stuart101 wrote:

Hydrangea.  Water them when it is dry during the growing season and prune
them back when they get long and straggling.

David

 

wrote:

The identifications are correct but the care instructions leave
something to be desired. Both the hydrangea and clematis flowering are
affected by the timing of any pruning. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea
macrophylla) bloom on growth that was produced the previous year -
pruning any more severe than removing the old flower heads now will
effectively remove any flower buds. I generally suggest pruning be
kept to a minimum on these shrubs to avoid this problem but you can
research rejuvenation pruning to reduce size over a period of time.

Clematis are grouped into various pruning groups and methods depending
on when they bloom. Late blooming clematis, such as this one appears
to be, are typically pruned back to the third set of buds from the
ground in late winter/early spring.......or about the same time
forsythia blooms in your area. Pruning these vines is not a
requirement but if left unpruned, they can develop very woody, leggy
growth with foliage and flowers concentrated very high on the plant.