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Clematis are normally grouped into three distinct
sections for pruning. If you are going to prune clematis, then it needs
to be carried out correctly. However, as with many other shrubs, many
clematis do not 'have' to be pruned. But in normal garden conditions,
pruning of Clematis is a 'must'. |
Group 1.
This group of Clematis are the very early flowering
types - such as Clematis Montana, and the evergreen Clematis armandii.
These all flower on growths made in the previous year. (They all flower
before making growth in the current year, as growth does not start until
well into the spring season.) They need a full growing season to make
flower buds for the following year, so if you prune this type of
Clematis too late in the year - say mid-summer - they do not have enough
time in the latter part of the year to make flower buds. So the
following year there will be no flower.
It is essential that this group of Clematis are pruned
immediately after flowering, if they are to be pruned at all. Clematis
montana types are often grown to cover up an unsightly object - as are
Clematis armandii, so there is no need to prune them if they are doing
their job well.
Clematis in this group include varieties of
Clematis alpina, C. macropetala, C. montana, C. armandii. C cartmanii
Clematis cartmanii Avalanche - a variety that flowers in
May, from growth made in the previous year.
Image © David Hughes
Clematis alpina Constance - Flowers in April - on growth
made the previous year.
Image © David Hughes
It is important to remember with these
Clematis varieties that of they are to be pruned, then it must be right
after flowering. If they are pruned back too late in the year, then they
will not have time to make the flower buds ready for the following
spring. Pruning normally takes the form of 'tidying' the plant, or
bringing it back under control perhaps. It is as well to have a good
look at these varieties of Clematis at flowering time, to try to
visualise what amount of growth they will put on during the coming
summer growing season. If you feel that it is going to need cutting back
sometime in the year, then best to do it early and not leave it too late
in the year.
Late pruning will not harm these Clematis
-simply delay the flowering, so that you will maybe not get any flowers
for two years!
Pruning this group Hard - to rejuvenate.
This group of Clematis can be pruned - cut
back - hard if desired, in order to rejuvenate it, or to get rid of
older woody stems. They will soon re-sprout into growth, and the worse
that will happen is that you may just not have quite as many flowers the
following year. However, the year after that they will flower as normal.
Mid/Early Summer Flowering Clematis
(Group 2)
This Clematis group are pruned at a
different time. The group includes the large flowered hybrids that start
to flower in May and June. It includes some of the best known varieties
of Clematis. These clematis flower on stems made in the previous season.
from these stems, they sen out new shoots which will bear flowers
through May until Mid summer. If this group is cut back hard in the
spring, then you will be pruning off last season's stems - Result = no
or very few flowers.
The purpose here, is to build up a
framework of stems from the last season. So once established, the
pruning back should be confined to cutting out old and damaged, stems,
then heading back the remaining stems to suit - probably 1 or two metres
from the ground. This will leave plenty of flowering buds to emerge form
the old stems. You can also just leave the plant alone and not bother
with pruning - especially if it is growing up through a tree.
Typical varieties in this group are:
Clematis Barbara Jackman, C. Barbara
Dibley, C. Carnaby, C. Corona, C. florida types, C. Guernsey Cream, C.
Henryii, C. Lincoln Star, C. Lord Neville, C. Nelly Moser, C. Mrs
Cholmondeley, C. Richard Pennel, C. Royalty, C. William Kennett.
There are others!
Group 3 - Late Summer flowering Large
Flowered Clematis
There is - or should be - no secret as to
how these should be pruned, but first let us understand how they grow!
These large flowered Clematis hybrids,
flower on growth made in the current year - not in the previous year
like the first group. They are normally cut back quite hard in February
or early March. Cut back to a pair of healthy buds which will just be
starting into growth in a normal February. This hard cut-back, will
invigorate the plant and result in good strong new growth (Which will
flower later into the summer!)
This group should be pruned back to within
a 30cm (12in) of the ground each February/March. This will remove all of
the previous season's growths and stems. You are effectively left with a
few stumps of the old stems - cut back as outlined. do not worry - the
Clematis will soon put on a few metres of growth within a month or so of
pruning.
This group contains many of the favourite
large flowered Hybrids such as ...
Clematis Ascotiensis, C. Betty Corning,
Clematis Bill MacKenzie, C. Comtesse de Bouchard, C. Crispa, C. Ernest
Markham, Gypsy Queen, Jackmanii (Not Jackmanii Alba or Rubra -
which are Group 2), Clematis recta - a perennial! Clematis Rouge
Cardinale, C. Ville de Lyon, C. viticella and all cultivars of that.
Clematis recta - a herbaceous perennial. Prune as group
3.
Hopefully this will give you a better idea about when you
should prune you Clematis.
Clematis Wilt Pruning If your Clematis suddenly
wilts, and foliage dies, this could be signs of
Clematis Wilt.
Prompt action, pruning out all dead and dying stems back to good healthy
tissue will often help the plant to recover.
Growing
Clematis
Clematis Wilt
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