2006-12-10 20:26:35 · 7 answers · asked by mucker 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
All clematis are not pruned the same. Depends on the variety. Some flower on new seasons growth, others on last seasons growth. So you ideally need to identify your specimen to know which action to take regarding pruning. If for example you had what should be an early flowering variety on last years growth, and you pruned it hard too early in spring you will have removed its flowering ability.These should be pruned AFTER flowering. On the other hand, if it's a later flowering type, pruning in spring is ok, new growth appears and in due course, the same season, flowers. Oh yes, the plants will survive if you prune them wrong, but they will give reduced shows of flower, possibly none at all.
2006-12-11 08:44:22 · answer #1 · answered by Dick s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 3 classes of clematis each having different "rules" for pruning. However, as I can't keep track of which vine is in which category, I treat them all the same. In the Spring I watch the vine when the leaves just start to appear. I cut the branches wherever new leaves don't appear. It works for me. This rule doesn't apply to Fall blooming clematis which I don't prune at all. Good luck!
2006-12-11 00:23:27 · answer #2 · answered by connor g 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends when it flowers. The most common (deciduous) cultivars flower on new growth, so can be cut back very hard in early spring. Good idea anyway, as leaving them tends to make them hugely twiggy and straggled.
If you have one of these, feel free to chop to 12" (Yes really)
2006-12-11 03:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by ShinyBlue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With any blooming plant the best time to cut them back is just after they bloom in the spring, and the blooms begin to die. As with azaelea's, after the bloom, the next spring growth blooms are already regenerating, so they say do not wait until fall to do so.
2006-12-11 02:45:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Montana is best trimmed just after flowering.The others,any time before growth starts in the Spring.
2006-12-10 21:01:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my experience you can do it almost any time - I cut back a large example visciously last winter about now and it grew back even more vigourously throughout the year. To be sure, waity until the plant has "gone to sleep" - i.e. mid/late winter.
2006-12-10 20:43:29 · answer #6 · answered by mdejme 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
little or no pruning is required for clematis --- but of course the rule of thumb is--- old or dead wood needs to be removed . good luck .
2006-12-10 22:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by bill g 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋