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Pruning clematis - the 3 pruning groups explained
everything about cutting back clematis
Like most plants, clematis benefit from being cut back - most varieties, at least. Pruning encourages fresh shoots and flowers.
In this article we first explain the widely used pruning groups of clematis. We then also look at why they are by no means set in stone and why deviating from them can be entirely justified.
Pruning clematis: the right tools
To cut back clematis you generally only need a pair of secateurs. Besides your usual garden or rose secateurs, the pruning, harvesting or grape shears popular in viticulture, with their long, pointed blades, have proved their worth.
If you would like to feed your clematis while pruning, ordinary garden fertiliser is just as suitable as any rose fertiliser you may have. Soil activator can also be worked in when pruning.
Pruning clematis: the pruning groups
The very large clematis family consists of many quite different species. A blanket statement on how clematis should be pruned is therefore not easily possible.
To give beginners in particular some orientation, three pruning groups have been defined for clematis. But experienced gardeners, too, can tell from the pruning group of a given variety how it grows and flowers. It is not without reason that for our clematis varieties we do not state the pruning group but the rough pruning time and the height to which they are cut back.
Pruning group 1 - pruning clematis
how is it pruned?
It is often claimed that this pruning group should not really be one at all. Varieties in it should only be pruned if there is a good reason. That is not quite true, because sooner or later the time comes when varieties from pruning group I should be pruned too.
what is the reason for pruning?
An early-flowering clematis is pruned when it grows too large or when, after a few years, the plant becomes bare from below and needs rejuvenating. In principle they behave like once-flowering shrub roses or large climbing roses, which are pruned rarely, but every few years nonetheless.
what / how much is pruned?
for lack of space, individual shoots, if possible side shoots without flower buds
for rejuvenation, individual shoots, even heavily lignified ones, close to the base of the plant - never all of them!
which varieties and species does pruning group 1 include?
This includes all varieties of the spring-flowering species Clematis alpina, Clematis macropetala (and other wild species and varieties from the Atragene group). The popular mountain clematis (Cl. montana) and the native wild species also belong to pruning group 1.
when are they pruned?
The time to cut back a clematis from pruning group 1 is after flowering, i.e. in May / June depending on the weather, if needed. As a rule you can see from the plant that it is time for pruning.
is it cut back every year?
No, these varieties are only pruned as needed, generally not every year.
Pruning group 2 - pruning clematis
how is it pruned?
You can remember pruning group two as clematis that are pruned twice a year. In late autumn or early spring they are shortened by roughly a third to a half; after the main flowering in early summer they must be tidied up and lightly shortened.
what is the reason for pruning?
clematis in pruning group 2 need pruning to make vigorous new growth and to flower on it.
what / how much is pruned?
In autumn/spring up to 1/2 of the total growth, in early summer faded parts and some of the old growth.
which varieties and species does pruning group 2 include?
this includes early-flowering hybrids with two flowering periods a year - and thus most double-flowered clematis as well.
when are they pruned?
In late autumn or after winter in early spring, and after the first flowering period in May / June.
is it cut back every year?
Yes, regular pruning promotes abundant flowering in these clematis.
Pruning group 3 - pruning clematis
how is it pruned?
all of the new growth is removed down to a few centimetres above the ground in late autumn or early spring.
what is the reason for pruning?
Herbaceous clematis are not climbers in the strict sense. They retreat into the root over winter, and the growth can be removed. Late hybrids, wild species and other varieties of pruning group 3 flower mainly on fresh growth and reward pruning with lush new shoots and thus an abundance of flowers.
what / how much is pruned?
the whole plant, down to about 30 cm above the ground.
which varieties and species does pruning group 3 include?
all herbaceous / perennial clematis, once-flowering large-flowered hybrids from the Patens group, Italian clematis and Clematis texensis, other wild species and varieties.
when are they pruned?
In late autumn or after winter in early spring. It makes no difference to the clematis when you prune; if it is planted together with a shrub or climbing rose or another woody plant that needs pruning in spring, however, it makes sense to cut both at the same time.
is it cut back every year?
Yes, regular pruning promotes new growth / in herbaceous varieties the overall appearance.
Pruning clematis: deviating from the pruning group
Pruning at planting and in the first year
Directly at / after planting you should shorten the clematis somewhat - regardless of any flowers or buds. This eases the root growth that matters so much at first and thus a lasting, successful establishment of the plant.
In the first year, clematis of pruning group I and II should also be shortened to a maximum of 40 cm in autumn or early spring. This promotes a bushier plant structure. A mountain clematis from the Montana group is only pruned if needed, when the plant has very few shoots that are not yet heavily lignified. The formative pruning can also take place after flowering in the following year and on just a few shoots.
Extending / adjusting the flowering time of herbaceous clematis
With herbaceous clematis from pruning group three it is easy to extend the flowering time by cutting back hard after flowering. More precisely: if this is done early enough in the year, they will shoot again from the base and set new flowers a second (possibly even a third or fourth) time. In principle these varieties keep shooting again after pruning for as long as temperature and light allow. This procedure can therefore be repeated several times in suitable weather.
Pinching clematis to delay flowering
If the clematis was planted in combination with roses and it turns out that the clematis regularly flowers, for example, 1-2 weeks before the rose - so the flowers never appear at the same time - this method is also suitable for 'synchronising' the flowering time. For this, the fresh growth of the clematis is cut back hard again after the period by which its flowering differs from that of the rose, which can also be done several times. With a little experience over the years it is thus quite possible to achieve an ideal picture of both plants in full bloom. Cl. viticella and Cl. Jackmanii as well as varieties derived from them are particularly suitable.
Not necessarily all shoots have to be shortened; if only some of the shoots are cut (several times), the display of flowers builds up in stages - which incidentally leads to a longer flowering period overall. When pinching clematis in the new growth, make sure that enough nutrients are available for repeated re-shooting, and that the possibly repeated hard pruning also leads to a much bushier plant - which needs more space.
The variety can be treated 'either way' / the flowering time is to be changed moderatelyIt is important to understand that pruning is not an end in itself but is done to help the plant. With the exception of varieties where the pruning group clearly depends on the botanical species, very many clematis can also be treated differently from the rather rigid pattern of the pruning groups. Many hybrids thrive whether they are cared for according to pruning group II or pruning group III. The difference is the flowering time, the length of flowering and possibly also whether double or only single flowers appear.
The right pruning of many clematis therefore often depends more on your wishes and on the requirements for flowering time, duration and form of flowers resulting from the planting partner, and also on a possible combining of the pruning with the companion plant, than on the procedures laid down in the pruning groups.
Clematis generally tolerate creative pruning experiments quite well, and - with a few exceptions in pruning group I - it is hardly possible to throw a clematis completely off course by pruning, let alone kill it.
Pruning for wilt and for kinked or broken shoots
If the clematis is affected by clematis wilt, you should cut the affected shoots back hard, down to a few centimetres above the base. If further shoots are affected by wilt in the days / weeks that follow, cut these back far into healthy wood as well. Pruning hygiene is important here. On affected shoots only work with well-sterilised secateurs, and do not use them on healthy plants after the work without sterilising them again first. Check carefully whether the wilting really is the feared wilt or is not due to an injury (see below).
Shoots kinked or broken off by wind, rain or other circumstances which subsequently wilt are cut off below the visible injury.
Pruning clematis: interesting links
If you speak English, we particularly recommend reading this interview with Linda Beutler.
Last but not least: the time at which you prune your clematis is always also a good moment to => feed it as well
Which clematis need pruning in spring?
I forgot to prune my clematis, is that bad?
If you forgot to prune your clematis, it is not a big deal. The clematis can be cut back properly the following year or, if it is a clematis of pruning group 3, dry wood that no longer produces shoots can also be removed later.
The clematis has arrived and is ready to be planted in its spot. In 7 steps, even beginners can master their first clematis planting.
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