|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 There is always a bit of confusion when it comes
to the proper time to prune
clematis vines. This is actually a question that
includes all woody vines since they all have similar characteristics. The key to
all of them is to determine the age of the "wood" which develops flower buds.
For example, grapes flower on one year old wood which means that they will only
bear flowers (and fruit) on sections of the vine that grew the previous summer.
Anything older than that will never flower again.
The genus,
Clematis, has several different
species. So, over the years, horticulturists have developed a three category
ranking to help gardeners to figure out the best time to prune their vines.
|
|
|
|
Group 1 - Clematis flower in spring on buds from last
year's growth. |
 Clematis in this group form their flower buds on the previous season's
growth. Therefore, the buds develop in the fall and spend the winter on the
vine.
If these types need pruning to keep them in
their proper place, it should be done after they complete their flowering
for the year. Remove any dead or dying segments of the vine or guide the
growth to where you want it to go. Flower buds for the following year are
set in the fall.
|
 |
|
|
|
Group 2 - Clematis begin flowering in early summer
from last year's growth as well as flowering later on short canes from
new growth (in most cases). |
 Many of the newer, large flowering types of
clematis bloom on both new and old wood. They will have a flush of blooms
early in the season on the upper reaches of the vine which was produced the
previous year's vine.
As the current season's vines grow from the base
of the plant,
blooms will appear lower on the vine later in the summer.
These types should only be pruned to keep
them in their place or to remove dead or dying vine segments. Generally,
make your pruning cuts just above a healthy looking large bud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group 3 - Clematis flower later in summer and into
fall. They form flowers on new growth each year. |
 If you think about it, it makes sense that
clematis that wait to flower in late summer and into the fall are blooming
on new wood grown in the current season. To keep them fresh and new looking, it is best to cut these
vines back to 12 to 18 inches from the ground in the early spring.
|
|
|
