Clematis are gorgeous climbing plants that bring a sparkle of bright colors to a garden or home. Like all plants, Clematis need to be pruned to produce healthy blooms. Pruning not only helps the plant to flower, but also allows it to produce more shoots at the base, so that the clematis can grow taller and bushier. However, how a clematis should be pruned depends on the flowering cycle of the plant. Read the next steps to learn how to properly prune your clematis variety.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Clematis that Bloom in Early Spring
Step 1. Know which clematis need to be pruned after flowering
Spring-flowering clematis bloom on old wood, which means they form buds on stems matured in the previous year. The period for pruning them is immediately after they have finished flowering; this way they have time to grow vigorously during the summer and will have plenty of old "new" wood for next spring blooms. Varieties that should be pruned after flowering include Alpina, Montana, and Armandii.
Recurring flowering plants (such as those that bloom in spring, summer and early autumn) should also be pruned after they bloom. Again, these bloom on old wood. These prunings should be light
Step 2. Prune your Clematis
For this type of early flowering Clematis, you really only need a light pruning. Use garden shears or shears to prune and sever any damaged or isolated stems you can find.
Step 3. Do a more vigorous pruning every now and then
The most decisive pruning, i.e. pruning the plant more thoroughly, should only be done when it is necessary to control growth, with the understanding that this will limit flowering.
Method 2 of 3: Clematis that Bloom in Late Spring and Early Summer
Step 1. Know which clematis should be pruned before flowering
Clematis that bloom in late spring and early summer should be pruned before they bloom. This type of Clematis includes most species with large flowers. These species produce so many buds that they need to be cut so that most of the flowers have a chance to bloom. Types that fall under this category include Henryi and Nelly Moser.
Step 2. Prune your Clematis in early spring
To prune this type of clematis, you will need to recognize the healthiest buds. They should be about one third from the top of the plant. Once you've spotted them, use pruning or garden shears to cut the climbing part just above the shoots and remove the top of the plant, keeping the buds intact.
Step 3. Consider pruning this type of Clematis as if it were some kind of late summer
The reason for doing this is to delay heavy flowering until late summer (in case early summer is coming and you want your clematis to bloom). See method three for how to prune this way.
Method 3 of 3: Clematis that Bloom in Late Summer and Early Autumn
Step 1. Understand that late flowering clematis should be pruned thoroughly
Clematis that bloom in summer and autumn produce buds only on new wood. Pruning can take place anytime from late fall to early spring. These types of Clematis include Polish Spirit and Duchess of Albany.
Step 2. Do a deep pruning
This means that you will essentially need to reduce the plant to ground level. In the case of late flowering Clematis, you will cut these plants almost to the ground. Some of these clematis will have buds all the way down to the stems, in which case it cuts just above the stems, but most will simply grow back out of the plant's crown.
