Clematis: pruning

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Although there are numerous clematis species, hybrids and cultivars, for pruning purposes they are split into three distinct pruning groups based on the time of flowering and the age of the flowering wood.

When to prune clematis

Prune at the following times;

• Pruning Group 1: Prune mid- to late spring, after flowering and once the risk of frost has passed
• Pruning Group 2: Prune in February and after the first flush of flowers in early summer
• Pruning Group 3: Prune in February

Pruning clematis

Pruning Group 1

This group comprises the early-blooming clematis that flower on shoots produced the previous season.

Click here for detailed advice on pruning this group of clematis

Pruning Group 2

This group comprises the large-flowered cultivars that flower in May to June on short shoots developing from the previous year's growth. Some flower again in late summer on new growth.

Click here for detailed advice on pruning this group of clematis

Pruning Group 3

This group comprises clematis that flower from mid- to late summer on the current year’s growth.

Click here for detailed advice on pruning this group of clematis

Pruning Groups 2 or 3

Some mid- to late summer flowering clematis can be treated as either Pruning Group 2 or Pruning Group 3, as desired.

Examples: 'Comtesse de Bouchaud’, ‘Gipsy Queen’, ‘Hagley Hybrid’, ‘Jackmanii’, ‘Jackmanii Superba’, 'John Huxtable’, ‘Perle d’Azur’, ‘Rouge Cardinal’ and ‘Star of India’.

Herbaceous Clematis

Prune herbaceous clematis such as C. heracleifolia, C. integrifolia and C. recta to near ground level in late autumn or early spring.

Problems

Powdery mildew is very common on clematis and clematis wilt is also sometimes seend. Pruned stems may fail to reshoot and ooze a sticky substance – this is known as slime flux.Occasionally clematis produce green petals or flowers.

Pests to watch for include vine weevil, slugs, snails, aphid, capsid bug and earwigs.