This explains pruning groups. It was in the FAQ's : How do I prune my Clematis? Group 1, 2, 3s or A, B, Cs Pruning suggestions: Clematis fall into three basic 'pruning groups'. The 'prune groups' are a separate classification of clematis in the 'family' groups (such as 'the Montana group') which take into account the parentage of the specific cultivar or the 'type' groups (such as 'the Evergreens') which take into account some specific attribute of the plants. There is, however, a connection between 'family' or 'type' groups and pruning groups, as almost all members of a specific family group or type group would fall into the same prune group. For more information on Clematis types and groups, please see the FAQ titled 'Clematis types'. These pruning suggestions are for established vines that have been in the ground for at least three years. Young vines should all be pruned to 12 inches the second spring and to 18 inches the third spring. It helps to develop more shoots, a fuller vine, and a better root system. Group 1 - Certain species clematis and their cultivars which bloom early in the year. Some of the more commonly found representatives of this group include the Montanas, which are extremely vigourous in USDA zones 5 and warmer. Other clematis in Group 1, which are becoming more commonly available, are varieties of C. alpina and C. macropetala. These clematis will also develop into very large specimen plants over time. Another example in Group 1 is C. armandii and its cultivars. All of the Group 1 clematis bloom on growth made the previous year. They can be pruned to keep them within their alotted space, or to remove dead and unsightly foliage. Note however, if they are pruned late in the season, or before they flower in the year, you will be cutting off potential flower buds. They should be pruned right after flowering, if at all. Group 2 - These are the large flowered hybrids. They are often divided again into two subgroups - 2a and 2b. The main difference between the two subgroups is: those in 2a normally bloom in the spring and possibly again in the fall; those in 2b bloom mainly in the spring then intermittently all through the summer. Subgroup 2b types usually continue to grow as well as bloom as the season progresses so in the spring you might have a mass of blooms at waist height and by autumn they may be blooming overhead. The flowers of both subgroups tend to be smaller later in the season and might be more intensely or differently colored as well. All of the clematis in Group 2 bloom on 'old wood' (actually on short shoots from old wood) and should not be pruned except for deadwood pruning in early spring after the leaf buds open slightly. Note that those in subgroup 2b also bloom on new wood (see information below about alternate pruning for special puposes). The number of later flowers can be increased if the seed heads from the first flowering are removed right after the blooms drop their tepals. Group 3 - These are the summer blooming varieties such as the viticellas, Jackmanii types, texensis, the herbaceous species such as integrifolia and recta that bloom on new wood and the late bloomers such as Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. terniflora) and orientalis types. Clematis in Group 3 mainly flower on new wood produced in the current year and should be pruned back severely every year in late winter, when they are completely dormant, to about 12 - 14 inches. Leave at least two pairs of buds (4) on each stem of the plant. Most Group 3s are very fast growing and will reach their full height before blooming every summer. If you fail to prune these, they will develop long 'legs' that get woody and will be devoid of foliage and blooms. It should be noted that with Group 2s and Group 3s you can vary both flowering height and flowering time by adjusting your pruning strategy. Since the above guidelines are based on gereral principles, once the principles are understood, you can alter your pruning to suit your needs. Say, for example you have a Jackmanii type which you want to flower around a second story window. Pruning it down to 12-14 inches each year will mean that it can never reach the heights you intend. Instead, knowing that it will grow approximately 10-12 feet each year, you can prune it back to a point which will allow it to flower at the height you need. Also, if you are growing Group 3 types into a shrub or a tree, it is best to only prune them down to a branch that gives them an early start next spring. You would not want to prune them to 12 inches and put them into a very shady situation next spring. It will stunt them. See 'Decorative Pruning' FAQ for more information. You can also control flowering time by either pruning later so that flowers are produced later, or not pruning some of the vines so that you may get flowers earlier. By pruning those in Group 2b as if they were Group 3 type plants, you can get a bigger display of flowers later in the year. Clematis are quite resilient plants, and you are unlikely to kill your plant by pruning it wrong. The worst damage that is likely to happen by incorrect or untimely pruning would be the loss of flowers for one year. Clematis have not been told these pruning "rules" and have done very well without pruning shears for thousands of years. It is a good idea to make a note and keep track of the name of any clematis you have or may buy so you can find out which pruning group it belongs to. The tag will usually tell you to either 'prune hard' or 'prune lightly'. This refers to the pruning group without confusing folks by indicating a group number. You may also see clematis listed as Group or Type A, B, or C. These letters correspond to Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively, as given above. There are many hints and tips for keeping track of the pruning requirements of the clematis in your garden. One idea would be to mark each clematis with one of three different colored stakes or twine to indicate which prune group it is in. Entered by shannan FAQ Page GardenWeb Home Page : Forums : Forum Copyright The Virtual Mirror

Had never heard of the websites, thanks for that. Love seeing the pics. Had a Maltese as the kids were growing up but he passed away after 17 years!!! Loved him. Now I have become a 'cat lady'. Have always rescued cats, taking them to the shelter to have them fixed and placed for adoption. I also fostered a couple of kitties this past winter. I have of course Bowie who is very affectionate, his mother was dropped off here with five babies. All were taken care of and two adopted out. Kept Bowie, but no one wanted his mother, she is very shy, I suspect she was treated badly. I also have the sister Chloe, who is also shy, but a sweet cat. Here is a pic of the three together. Bowie, Mommie Kittie, and Chloe. They are a very closeknit family!! Bowie follows me everywhere when I am outside, which is of course all day long !! They stay outside and I have a shelter for them when the weather is cold. Then I have Sweetums, who is my spoiled inside baby, never was going to have an 'inside' cat, my daughter found her abandoned at a park several years ago when she ( my daughter) was taking pictures, just before winter, she was starving, and we couldn't leave her. There were two kittens, and my daughter's boyfriend's mother took the other one. So Sweetums stayed in the house to recover from the surgery (spaying) and then I didn't know how the others would react to her and she is long haired. So needless to say she stayed in and I love having her in the house. She is very quiet and very well behaved. She has bonded completely to only me, hides when anyone comes over. This is her living the good life. Then lastly and once again never thought I would have a cat inside. This is scaggs. I named him scraggly, cause he was such a mess and no one knew what his name had been. Very sad story, his owner who had been evicted from his home, just left his cat outside on the porch of the house, after he had been an inside cat for almost two years. There were a couple of businesses in the neighborhood and they would feed him, but not every day. I knew about it and couldn't stand it, so I took him to the vet, he had already been neutered. Other than being hungry, he was in good health. But he was a big mess. He had been living under a dumpster for awhile, (after crying on that porch for weeks,) and with his long fur, it was a disaster, so I took him to the groomers to have him cleaned up. He stayed in my garage then for a few weeks, while I tried to find a home for him, He is very loving, and seemed thrilled to be in a garage. I slowly introduced him to sweetums, and it worked out, so in he came and now i have the both of them inside and they get along great. He is the 'company' cat, cause he likes people, in spite of what he went through. Boy that was long, sorry. Aren't you glad you started this!!! Cindy

We have the old 70's aluminum windows, tall and skinny, so not a lot of light. When we had window companies come out, we didn't like the vinyl either, due to the "chunky" appearance letting in less light. I've gone to the Windows forum here on GW - they were very helpful, and recommended fiberglass windows. Those have the skinnier profile like aluminum. We're a few years away from replacing them - got to pay off some of this present remodel first. However, I live in the deep south, so the cold isn't really a problem -- it's the heat. We do have to keep the thermostat at 72 to keep it cool in here, but that's not too bad.

Sorry to be so late in checking in. I'm back home now myself (have been for several days). I want to second my thanks, along with Rouan, for the wonderful day we spent with Siobhan. We enjoyed visiting the exceptional botanical garden at Boothbay Harbor, a lovely two-hour harbor cruise on a schooner, and (of course) a visit to a local bookstore. In fact I am completely impressed with all the bookstores we saw. They are all over the place! At first I thought it was because we were in a tourist area, but later as we moved away from the coast, the bookstores continued to pop up every few miles. Our mother used to complain about the lack of bookstores where we lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If this was what she had been used to growing up, no wonder she thought she had moved to a literary desert. I understand that the number of stores is down considerably from what it was a couple of decades ago, but even so, it is like nothing I have ever seen. I want to mention the most impressive used book store we encountered. It is called Homestead Books, and it is located along the highway in Marlborough, NH. Huge selection of older books. Many used bookstores are primarily recent publications. This store had those, too, but lots and lots of older books, even early 20th century series fiction. I had a blast. I have now had the privilege of meeting several RPers, Jankin, Carolyn KY, Sarah Canary and now Siobhan. Each and every one has been a delight; warm, welcoming, interesting, and hospitable. Those of us in the roses corner of Gardenweb meet each other frequently at various garden-related events, as well as in our own gardens, so I am well aware that friendships that begin online can blossom in the Real World. Rosefolly