Pruning clematis in autumn

Cut twice flowering clematis only once

They are considered a masterpiece in the art of breeding, which bloom twice Clematis. This clematis presents its flowers in May / June to repeat the color spectacle in August / September. The first blossom sprouts from the previous year's shoots, while the summery buds thrive on this year's tendrils. How to properly handle pruning this clematis group:

• After the first flowering period, simply clean off anything that has withered
• Only cut the tendrils by a maximum of half after the second flowering
• The best time for the central pruning is in November / December

Well-known hybrids such as' The President ',' Königskind 'or' Dr. Ruppel ‘. Its double flowers appear unfilled in summer, which does not detract from the dreamlike appearance.

Clematis blooming late can tolerate heavy pruning

All clematis species and varieties that are only available from mid / late June

blossom start, are cut in autumn. Since this clematis generally attaches its buds to this year's shoots, you can bravely go to work with the scissors in autumn. If necessary, nothing speaks against a cut back to 20 or 30 centimeters. The climbing plant will branch out all the more luxuriantly in the next year. This cut is recommended:

• Make each incision just above an outward-facing eye
• A slight incline allows rain and irrigation water to run off better later
• In addition, thoroughly clear out all dead wood at the base

Well-known representatives of this cutting group are the Italian clematis Clematis viticella with its entire line and the perennial clematis Clematis diversifolia. The imposing Clematis vitalba also accepts a radical cut in autumn without complaint, which means that the immensely vigorous climbing artist can be kept well under control.

Tips & Tricks

If hobby gardeners use scissors too late for the double-flowering clematis in autumn, in the worst case they will deprive themselves of the next spring bloom because the buds have already been created. If in doubt, you should therefore only shorten every second shoot and trim a little after the first flowering. So at least not all of the blossoms will fall by the wayside.