do you cut a clematis vine back or will it come back on it's on?

Question

I have never grown a vine like this before. It get's alot of sun and water.It is next to the garage and shelterd some. please help me if you can.

Answer 1

Hi,
Try this place, you'll find lots of good info: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/clematis/

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/vines/

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/

Hope this helps, I learn something new at every visit to the gardenweb.
Dave

Answer 2

This is a hard question because there are several varieties of clematis. Some flower only on old wood, while others flower only on new wood. If you cut back the one that only flowers on old wood, you will sacrifice your flowers for next year. If you don't cut back the new wood kind, you'll have far fewer flowers on it. The only options are IF you know what the flower looks like, you can go to a gardening website and try to identify the variety, then you can research what type it is. Or, you can just try cutting it back and see what happens next year. If lots of flowers, great. If only leaves, don't cut it back again. Good luck!

Answer 3

I always thought you should not cut them back but here's a website with all of the cutting back information you could want. It seems it depends on what kind of clematis you have.

large.http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/flowers/clematis.htm

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I have three different types. "nelly moser " looks better if I leave it alone. the other 2 look better if I cut them to the ground. Sorry I can't remember their names but both are purple. One has small single flowers the other is double.