hi Karmahappytoes (love your name!
)
I am a beginner Clematis-lover so I've been reading a lót about them lately.
As far as I understand it when to prune a certain Clematis depends on when (Spring, Summer, Autumn/Winter) they bloom and whether they flower on old or new wood.
- Clematis that flower on last year's wood : no regular pruning required
- Clematis that flower on last year's ánd this year's wood: at the end of Winter remove weak or dead stems and prune back strong stems back at 2-3 foot to just above a couple of healthy buds + to encourage a 2nd flush prune back some stems by cutting back to large buds or stong side shoot immediately after bloom
- Clematis that flower on this year's wood: prune back hard at the end of Winter/ beginning of Spring
I have no actual experience with everything I wrote above, this is just what I read in books and online.
So, if you know differently please educate me!