skip to main content

Perennials Clematis

Clematis Pruning Groups

3 months ago

Pacific Northwest - Zone 7B

I have been very bad about keeping track of the names of my clematis, and I'm now trying to get my brain around pruning practices.

For instance, I have a President, (I know the name of this one, yay. :o) ) every year I have cut this back hard in late winter, early spring. It always flowers very nicely in mid to late summer. I am reading today it is in Group B, which according to this web site - https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/clematis/group-two-pruning-guide and they advice pruning in late winter, early spring, but with the specific tip to do this-

"Remove dead or weak stems before growth begins. Check individual stems from the top down until you reach a pair of healthy buds, and prune just above them, removing the spindly or damaged growth above."

I'm sure the Brits now what they're talking about, and I've also read that some Group B can be treated like Group C. Perhaps the President can handle either, but this year I'm thinking of following the RHS advice.

I have another No ID clematis, that is in some bit of shade. it has never flowered much, but I've neglected it over the years. The last few years I've been pruning it back hard in late winter early spring and it hasn't flowered at all. It grows vigorously, and climbs 8 to 10 feet, but no flowers. While it could be the partly shady condition, I'm thinking it's in Group B, and one that doesn't like hard pruning at all, and I'll be trying the above RHS tip on that one.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 months ago
The division into individual pruning groups are just guidelines. At a previous garden I had way too many clems - around 60 or so - and there was no way I could keep track of who needed pruning when and how much. Other than the type 1's or no pruning required group - I treated them all the same - a late winter hard prune as if they were all type 3's. Other than delaying slightly the bloom period for the type 2's, when and how hard I pruned made NO impact on the flowering ability of the type 2's.

IME, which includes decades of growing clematis in all its forms as well as working for a local major wholesale clematis grower, hard pruning of any clematis type will not affect bloomage....other than with respect to timing. Type 1's or old wood bloomers should be pruned back (if needed or desired) as soon after the initial bloom cycle as possible in order to allow sufficient regrowth and ripening of the wood for the next season's blooms.

If hard pruning of a type 2 failed to produce any flowers, look to the timing issues or lack of sufficient sunlight. It is not the pruning that is the cause.
SeniorBalloon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
SeniorBalloon
Original Author
3 months ago
Where this non-flowering clematis is planted has been getting shadier every year. 10 years ago it was plenty sunny, but it's planted just north of a Japanese maple that is now 20 plus feet tall and has a nice canopy spread. It creates a wonderful understory for hosta and epimediums, but it's reach is perhaps getting to wide. Will look at what pruning I can do without impacting the health or look, and if need be relocate the clematis.

Thanks gg.
Related Discussions
Question about prune newly planted group 2 clematis
Q
Comments (2)
While it is not exactly a "rule", it is generally considered to be a very sound practice. The hard pruning of any newly planted clematis encourages the development of a good root system. And with pruning group 2 clems - those most prone to clematis wilt - a well-developed root system can go along way to discouraging this issue. I would recommend cutting your new clems back hard in late winter. I might even consider stretching that out to the following season as well. At best it will only delay the initial bloom flush a few weeks. I know sometimes it's hard to imagine that far ahead when your vine looks good right now but truly, taking the time and effort to ensure the best possible long-term conditions for it to thrive will pay off in the long run.
...See More
Questions about Pruning Group 3 Clematis.....
Q
Comments (1)
Most type IIIs generally have one major bloom cycle. They might throw off more blooms sproadically over the rest of the season but the only way I have found to get another larger flush of blooms is to cut them back by half, keep them well watered and fertilized, and then some type IIIs will put forth a second reasonably large flush of blooms.
...See More
Clematis Pruning Groups...
Q
Comments (4)
I try to group them by pruning type to make pruning easier. I try to put ones that are type 1 & 2 where I don't have to look at them in the winter since the dead vines aren't too decorative. The areas I see in winter get type 3's since I can prune them back in early winter and just have the trellis or bare-branched shrub that it is growing on to look at.
...See More
Serious Black clematis pruning ?
Q
Comments (6)
Starchild, many plants will grow fine without our help but some will look tidier or fruit more or bloom better or have fewer diseases if cared for as recommended. So I water my tomato plants if it's too dry (though it rarely is here, but might be different if I wanted tomatoes in NM), remove old peony and phlox stems in the fall to reduce the following year's diseases, and I hard prune certain clematis so I have flowers at eye level rather than only at the top of a 10' plant and to avoid looking at a tangle of dead stems all winter. However, in the case of this particular plant, Clematis Serious Black, it is just a matter of removing last year's dead stems for tidiness. They are one clematis that grows totally new stems and foliage each season and what beautiful new growth it is!
...See More

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

PLANTING IDEAS Great Garden Combo: Rose + Clematis for Small-Space Impact

We all need somebody to lean on. And when a rose supports a climbing vine, the results can totally transform a small garden

GARDENING GUIDES The Secret Formula for Grouping Plants in a Pot

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Designing a gorgeous container garden is easy once you know this simple rule of thumb for composition

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener: What to Do in May

By Genevieve Schmidt

Take advantage of May's warmth to prune spring blooms and plant vegetables and annuals for a summer bounty

SPRING GARDENING Spring Gardens Are Waking — Here’s What to Do in March

By Annie Thornton

Excitement fills the air when gardens come back to life. These guides will help you make the most of yours

GARDENING GUIDES Southeast Gardener's March Checklist

By Gardening with Confidence®

Start fresh by envisioning new plant combinations as you tend to fruit trees and rosebushes — and watch out for those darned voles

GARDENING GUIDES How to Avoid Overcrowded, Overpruned Shrubs

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Go for a more natural look that’s easier and less expensive to maintain by giving your plants the right amount of growing room

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Ways to Rethink the Shrub

By Falon Mihalic

These versatile plants can do more than frame your home’s foundation or line an entry walk

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Velvety Dwarf Bottlebrush Beckons a Touch

By Steve Asbell

Brilliant red blooms and inviting textures will capture your heart, but the low maintenance and small size will win over your practical side

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Plants for Colorful Fall Blooms in the Drought-Tolerant Garden

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want fall color but not a big water bill? Consider these not-too-thirsty fall bloomers

Sponsored

28 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio

More Discussions

A Year of Bulbs

86

Mulching with compost in established bed

15

Redbud woes.......

11

Japanese willow new growth completely green

1

1000+ bulbs planted last fall

2