Cut back clematis or not? »When does it make sense?

It is better not to cut back spring bloomers

It is the vital game species, like Clematis alpina or Clematis montanathat do not necessarily require pruning. If you choose the wrong time, in the worst case you will deprive the magnificent clematis of this year's abundance of flowers. Blooming early Clematis plant their buds in the previous year. How to handle the cut correctly if necessary:

• Do not shorten tendrils of spring-flowering clematis that are too long until they have bloomed
• Otherwise just clean off withered flowers and seed heads that have formed
• A rejuvenation cut every 4-5 years prevents aging

A light summer cut is recommended here

Twice-blooming hybrids, such as the majestic clematis 'The President', welcome a light pruning after the first bloom. For this cut In June, remove all withered flowers including the pair of leaves underneath. The clematis thanks you with another flower pile after 6-8 weeks.

Summer bloomers require courageous pruning

she bloom without ceasing from June until well into autumn and develop an impressive habitus. The mighty summer bloomers among the clematis species produce long tendrils anew every year, on which they bloom lavishly. In order for Clematis viticella and its conspecifics to perform this miracle, pruning is crucial. That is how it goes:

• Late blooming clematis every year cut in autumn
• Shorten the entire clematis to 20-30 centimeters in November / December
• Carefully cut off all dead wood at the base

Anyone who renounces the radical pruning of these clematis will sooner or later be confronted with an aging clematis. Since light and air can no longer get into the interior of the climbing plant, the shoots bald to become sad sticks.

Tips & Tricks

With a fresh one planted clematis the question does not arise whether it should be cut back or not. Here is a Body section indispensable in November or December of the year of planting. To do this, cut back all the tendrils down to 20 or 30 centimeters. The result is a powerful budding, densely branching climber for the next year.