Pruning C. Montana rubens

My plant is about 5 years old and is doing very well, but I need to prune it. Question: how far back can I prune without killing it? It is now about 25ft high and I may need to cut it back to about 8 ft. Advice?

Last year my helper and I pruned back montana Grandiflora by more than half and I still had a beautiful display this year. Once in a while drastic pruning is needed or these montanas (monsters in French) will take over a garden.

I would do it immediately if I were you.

Thanks pirl. I'll hold my breath and give it a shot!
Your montana is beautiful! I may have to add a white one to my pink.

I added a pink this year, Broughton Star.

The portions you remove will fill several trash bags unless you cut them into tiny pieces - boring! It won't look gorgeous when you're done but it bounces back fast...almost unbelievably fast.

Thanks again!