Pruning Clematis ensures that they become strong and healthy

The plant cutting

The majority of clematis needs to be cut back in their first year. This promotes branching out of the clematis, growing stronger as becoming more resistant to damage and disease. When planting in autumn, cut back the shoots (about 25cm)If you plant in spring prune the plant immediately after planting.

The annual pruning

Pruning ensures that the clematis does not grow excessively and promotes branch and flower development. Clematis can be divided into 3 groups, based on the way the clematis flowers.

Pruning spring-flowering clematis

The clematis plants begin flowering from the second to third months of spring. Plants in this group include Clematis alpine, Clematis macropetala and Clematis Montana . These plants do need to be cut back. Remove dead and weak shoots soon after flowering. Thin out clematis that have become too large immediately after they have flowered.

Cutting early-summer-flowering clematis

These clematis plants start flowering form the end of the last month of spring right into the first month of summer on shoots from the last year.

Clematis plants in this group include Clematis florida , Clematis patens and Clematis languinosa. The clematis will flower in the last month of summer and early autumn. Clematis florida needs to be cut back in late autumn.

  • Dead and weak shoots need to be removed

  • The shoots should be cut back at the tips (by about 10-20cm) to the neighbouring leaf axils during the next spring.

  • Tie back the shoots while pruning in a manner that ensures that the shoots do not become too close. Make sure that the loops are not too tightly bound around the plant stems.

Pruning summer-flowering clematis

The clematis in this category flower from the during the second month of summer. The flowers develop on the fresh shoots and the clematis in this group includes varieties of Jackmanii viticelli and texensis groups. This plant needs to be cut in late autumn.

  • Indoor growing plants need to be cut back to about 20cm above the ground. This makes sure that the flowers that develop on shoot tips in the summer are eye level.

  • Cut back herbaceous perennial clematis. The plants will quickly grow and get back to their original height, spreading at flowering time.

Tips on pruning clematis

1. Always cut a few millimeters above a pair of buds making sure that the cut is not made to low or too high.

2. Make a slant cutting as this prevents water from collecting on the cut which results in fungal infections.

3. Make sure that the tools that you will use are smooth.

4. Ensure that the tools are always clean being disinfected with alcohol and other plant friendly disinfectants.