How and when to prune clematis seems to be one of the biggest mysteries in gardening, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a few hints to help you. If you need to do anything, this information sheet should clear up the mystery for you. If not, give us a call or stop by and we will try to help. If you aren't sure what variety of clematis you have, make note of when it blooms and the size and color of the blossoms.

Do all clematis need pruning? Once established, clematis can grow very quickly so those that aren't pruned will eventually look like a big tangle, reducing the beauty of the plant. Pruning encourages more blooming and keeps the blooms down where you can appreciate them on a tidy- looking plant.

What are the different types of clematis? All the different clematis can be put into three groups. #1 blooms early on last year's growth. #2 & #3 in mid-summer and later, and their blooms come from this year’s new growth.

If I know what variety I have, can you tell me which category it fits into? We have the information you need readily available on all the varieties we sell and will do our best to find out about others.

What if I don't know the variety of my clematis? When you don't know the variety, or aren't sure which pruning method to use, let the clematis go through the season while you watch it. Make note of when it blooms and whether it is blooming on new growth (the stems will be green) or old growth (the stems will be brown and woody). With that information, we should be able to determine the best method for pruning.

Whenever you read about pruning clematis, they talk about cutting back just above the swollen fuzzy buds. What exactly does that mean? Clematis vines are delicate and almost always look dead until the leaf buds begin to swell. What was just a twiggy stem one day will suddenly have pairs of big, green, slightly fuzzy leaf buds. All pruning cuts should be done just above a pair of these swollen buds.

What are the different pruning methods called? This will differ from source to source. We call them number 1, 2 and 3, but other books will say A, B or C. Some even give them descriptive names such as spring flowering, summer flowering and twice flowering.

Why would the pruning recommendations vary from source to source? Like so many things in life, there isn't just one way to get where you are going. And, if you have your own method and you are pleased with the results, don't change.

Do some clematis fit into more than one category for pruning? There are several Clematis that could be pruned by either the second or third method. Taking into consideration our climate, we have assigned them to the method that we feel will give you the most blooms from your vine, and winter survivability.

Tell me about the first pruning method. For clematis that bloom early, on last year's growth, prune by removing all dead and weak stems immediately after flowering. After pruning, new growth will develop through the season for next year's blooms. Early flowering clematis tend to be strong growers so you may want to cut off quite a bit to keep them under control.

Tell me about the second pruning method. After a Clematis is established, you don't have to do anything but clean out dead wood unless the plant gets overgrown. This group blooms on growth that comes from last season's stems. In early spring before growth begins, look for swelling buds. First, cut out all dead wood beyond the swelling buds. Then cut back last season's growth to about 12 inches. Each year the vine will be bigger and fuller.

Tell me about the third pruning method. This group of clematis flowers continuously on new wood and should be pruned back hard each spring before growth begins. Sometimes they are referred to as twice-flowering because they bloom heavily in mid-season and early fall, and less in between. As soon as the buds begin to swell, cut the vines back to just above the lowest pair of buds on each stem. Left unpruned, these clematis will start growing where they left off last season, usually leaving lots of bare stems down low.

What can I do about a clematis that has become a huge tangle? When they get to be just one big mess, cut them back almost to the ground in late winter or very early spring and then begin training again the next season. It might be tempting to let it go until it has bloomed awhile, especially with the early blooming varieties, but it really is best for the plants to cut back before they use that energy to leaf out.

Should I do the same thing to rejuvenate a clematis that has gotten tall and leggy? Yes. Clematis are very reluctant to fill out on wood that is very old. Often gardeners allow their Clematis to reach the top of the trellis and spill down over the lower growth, covering up the bare areas, but in the long run this simply ends up an unattractive tangle.

How can I tell what is dead wood on a clematis? This isn't always easy and many gardeners have pruned away stems that would have developed leaves. When in doubt, start from the tips and work your way down.  Later, in early spring, the buds will swell on good wood, making it easy to distinguish what is dead.

Do I need to treat the plant in any way after pruning? The natural response to pruning is growth, and a well established clematis can really surprise you when it takes off. While it is growing so quickly, be sure to provide adequate water and fertilizer.

Additional Bachman's Information
Clematis Basics
Vines: Annual, Perennial and Tropical
Pruning Basics
Fertilizing Annuals and Perennials

Recommended Products
Quality Bachman's-Grown Clematis
Trellis and Plant Supports
Soil Amendments and Mulches
Bonide Bonomyl Fungicide
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