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Should I cut off the spent flowers? Advice needed!

17 years ago

Good Afternoon and isn't it a lovely one-

I planted two clems last summer and this year I got about 3 flowers on each one. The flowers are now spent so should I cut them off or is that where those beautiful pods grow from? Is that what they are called? Some that I have seen look like spun gold and silver cocoons. Do you think I should cut the clems down since the bottom growth is sparse? They were supposed to be Fireworks and Carnaby but Fireworks doesn't look like the picture and either does Carnaby. Hopefully next year there w/be more flowers and I can post a picture and someone would be able to ID them for me. I LOVE THIS SITE.

Thanks for your help,

suebot in CT

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Comments (6)

jeanne_texas
17 years ago
Sue..they are called "Seedheads"..I am a big advocate of deadheading all plants...why let your plant use up energy producing seedheads when it can better put that energy to growing a better root system and or leaves?...Being that your clematis are still babies ..it wouldn't hurt to prune them half way back...they will only thank you later on with a better root system and more flowering in the future..I do that to all my clematis (Pruning group 2's and 3's) in their 1st full season except my pruning group 1's....Jeanne
suebot
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Jeanne-

I am so happy you saw my post. Your advice, as always, is well taken and right on. I have 2 that I got last week from Stew Leonards in 1 gl pots. Supposed to be Wisley and Edna Spath. How would they look together? Also I haven't planted them yet but what do you suggest? There are tiny flowers on Wisley and tiny leaves on both. Should I trim them back and them plant? Plant in the Fall? I could use 1 with my New Dawn climber that is blooming so nicely. Three weeks ago I planted P.Spirit at the base but could maybe use one of the 2 new ones. Which in your opinion could stand up to the huge New Dawn?

Thanks for your time,
suebot in CT
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jeanne_texas
17 years ago
You Clematis "Elsa Spath" is a pruning group2 whereas your Clematis "Wisley" has viticella in it's blood and is a pruning group 3..I would stick to planting pruning group 3s with Roses..."Wisley" would be stunning with Climbing Rosa "New Dawn"....and much easier task of pruning every year being a pruning group 3!!..If your weather is still cool and you will stay ontop of keeping them watered..you could plant them now...if not wait till fall...make sure and give both of them a couple handfuls of bonemeal in the planting hole and plant them about 2-4 inches deeper than the pots they come in..You can prune them half way back for good measure...and this will benefit them to help their roots get well established ..when planting..plant them at a slight 45 degree angle towards what you want them to grow on....Jeanne
suebot
Original Author
17 years ago
Jeanne,

Should I prune them now or wait until fall when I plant them?

Sue
jeanne_texas
17 years ago
I would go ahead and prune half way back...it will only serve the root system for now...Jeanne
suebot
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Jeanne-

You should write an indepth article on the growing of clematis and post it on this forum. Your advice is much appreciated and I can always count on you for a quick response.

suebot in CT

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