Mine is now brown and ready for the winter but its nicely trailing and wondered if Clementis needs pruning or should it be left to grow new shoots out of the old stems.

Mine is now brown and ready for the winter but its nicely trailing and wondered if Clementis needs pruning or should it be left to grow new shoots out of the old stems.

Im glad you asked this because I have four clematis. Ive pruned them all to about 4 inches from the ground. They look tidy but dont know wether Ive done right or not.

Pruning clematis is very complicated as it depends on which variety they are. Different types of clematis need pruning at different times of year.

http://www.clematisnursery.com/Pruning.aspx

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/category/pruning-training/?CMP=KNC-Google&HBX_PK&HBX_OU=50

Yep - as Yellowrose says cutting them all to the ground might be the wrong choice - but don't worry too much as they might not flower but they should survive (just give them a good mulch when they get going next spring.

I cut mine back to the hard wood every year & they always come back just as good the next year.

I cut mine back to the hard wood every year & they always come back just as good the next year.

Well I hope mine do as well Herbert. :)

I left mine with the brown leaves on, and now I have nice green leaves coming out of the old ones, so hopefully I did that right!

As with most things it depends on the "type" of clematis as to what to do.

I picked a RHS book on clematis, only a small one and got it for a few quid. but it tells you what to do with each type.

It said for my Montana's, not to do anything (unless they need tidying). So thats what i've done this year, just left them..... and they are starting to green up as we speak! :-)

I must have a montana too then..?

I must have a montana too then..?

Or one in the same pruning group!

The book puts Clematis into 3 pruning groups, with different advice for each group. (the book is RHS Practicals "Clematis")


Pruning Group 1

Prune only to thin if necessary, in late winter or after flowering.

The following can also be hard pruned after flowering: Macropetalas, barbellata, cirrhosa, koreana, pruinina.

Never cut these ones hard back into dark old wood: Montana, armandii, chrysocoma, gracilifolia, x vedrariensis.


Pruning Group 2

Prune lightly in late winter to strong growth and buds, leaving a good framework. This group includes all the early large flowering hybrids, singles and doubles.


Pruning Group 3

Prune hard in late winter/early spring, cutting all stems back. This group includes all the late large flowering hybrids, the mid-to-late flowering species and herbaceous clematis.



I've typed that as if from the book. Hope that helps you out.

Mick