Jen..did you prune "The Old Vines" down to one inch above the first leaf axil??..Clematis "Prince Charles" is a pruning group 3 Hard Prune..it blooms on new wood...it's always nice to see "new Vines" pop up from the ground..that means more blooms!!...Love when that happens....Jeanne

Right. Clematis will sprout new shoots as they mature, and these new shoots will grow faster than the buds on the woody, older shoots. You can leave these this year, or trim off all the old wood down to a strong set of buds. Ultimately, you will get more blooms this way.

Thank you.

I'm sorry I neglected to mention that I already pruned the old wood down to about 2 feet. I know I could have gone lower but there weren't any new buds below that point when I pruned them.

Michael, are you saying I'll get more blooms if I cut the old wood down now? It seems a little ate for that now (our roses are already blooming or are loaded with buds).

Thanks,
Jen

Jen, every year you will see an increase in number of shoots from the ground. Your plant is still young, so don't worry. The growth that you have now will broduce lots of flowers. You can also prune this plant again at the end of it's bloom cycle, since you are in California. You will likely get a second flush because of the length of your growing season there. I would love to be able to do this here in Massachusetts as well, but our season is much too short to get a second flush, so lucky YOU !
Suzy

Thanks Suzy. Yeh, lucky me. I get to prune roses, pull weeds, and deadhead all the plants even in January when the rest of you get a long winter's rest. OK, I'm kidding a little, but honestly sometimes I would like a long break. It's like having kids who remain 4 years old and never grow up and leave home - EVER! :-)

BTW, is there any reason why the other Clematis (Venosa Violacea) I planted at the same time as Prince Charles has not produce any new shoots from the ground?

Jen, V.V. may take it's time at first. There's an old saying about clematis...

The first year they sleep.
The second year they creep.
The third year they LEAP !

Have patience, it will happen.
Suzy

Thanks Suzy. :-) I know that saying about plants in general (it sure does teach patience!) but I'm still getting acquainted with Clematis and their habits. I have 4 now, VV and PC being the oldest in our garden. I planted two new ones this year, together in the same big hole: Polish Spirit and Minuet. They are planted on one side of our big Westerland rose (a large climber in our climate), and VV is on the other side. The rose makes a great trellis for the Clematis once they reach the lowest cane.

I'm already trying to fine new spots for more. I just wish they didn't require such a doggone big hole for planting and all the tons of amendments that go into the hole. If that weren't the case, I'd stick one in the ground next to our Bower vine but I'd practically need to dig up the nearby plants just to dig a hole big enough for the Clematis. That is the only drawback to this plant that I've experienced so far. I think I will start a new thread about ask if anyone has successfully gotten around the big hole.

Thanks again,
Jen