Clematis Pruning
Lyn pruning Clematis "Huldine" After pruning
The Groups
Group 1
Most Clematis that flowers January to May
Montana
Alpina
Macropetala
Cirrhosa
Armandii
Group 2
Most Clematis that flowers May/June
Large flowered Hybrids
Double flowered Hybrids
Group 3
Clematis that flower later in the year on new
growth
Texensis
Vitticella
Jackmanii
Herbaceous
The Pruning
Group 1
Cut out the weak and dead
growth, thin out if the plant is getting overgrown.
Alpina's and macropetalas often keep their dead leaves from the year before, and
then new growth starts in the spring, remove the dead leaves otherwise the plant
will look tatty..
Montana's should not be cut back back into wood which is more than a
couple of years old, as it may kill the plant, surprising as they can be big
strong plants. Remember that the growth made in the summer months is where the
plant flowers in the following year, so don't prune in the autumn or onwards,
because you will not have any flowers in spring.
Group 2
We normally prune these during the end of February or a bit
later if the weather is very cold/frosty. Cut them back to good fat buds, (not
too low down if possible), some
stems will be stronger than others, the weak ones will need to be cut back
further, to find strong buds. Stems that are very weak should be cut down almost
to the ground. Remove any dead leaves.
Group 3
We prune them at the same time as group 2. Follow the stems up from the ground,
and cut them above the first set of strong buds, some where about one to two
feet above the ground. New growth will normally push up from the ground later.
All groups, after pruning tie in any long growth, feed and mulch them. During the growing season keep them well watered and fed, but stop feeding when in flower. Enjoy them.
