Pruning Clematis

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PRUNING CLEMATIS

Clematis are usually divided into 3 groups for pruning purposes, and you'll notice we have noted the prune category in each description within our catalog. The groups are described as follows:

GROUP A - All clematis in this group flower in spring, from dormant buds formed along the stem of the previous years growth. This group does not die back to the ground each winter, and if you prune hard or to the ground in fall or early spring, you won't get many flowers that year. The alpina and macropetalas belong to this group.

GROUP B - Typically, clematis that belong to this group are large flowered hybrids that flower en masse in spring, then again in September to October. The first spring after planting, cut back to 12 inches above ground, then train the new shoots to climb in the manner you wish. From the second year on, cut out dead wood and spindly shoots, then cut back stems to the topmost set of fat green buds, which may be anywhere from a few inches to 2 feet from the tips of last years growth. Retie and train to cover as large an area as possible.

GROUP C - This group contains the clematis that die back to the ground each winter and need to be pruned severely each year. Hybrids such as Jackmanii as well as the viticellas belong to this group, or any clematis which blooms on the current seasons growth. Most grow very tall, reaching 10 to 20 feet or more in a season. Typically the flowers form on the final few feet of growth. In mild winters their growth may not completely die back and they may want to leaf out all along the old growth for thing in spring, but growth is so vigorous pruning must still be done to keep it in check. Cut them back to a few inches above ground in late fall or early the next spring.

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