When to cut back my clematis?

Discussion in 'Vines and Climbers' started by dolphinviewer, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. dolphinviewer

    dolphinviewer Member

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    Location:
    Powell River, BC, Canada
    HI;
    I live on the BC coast and I have a clematis ( I don't know exactly which one it is, but it has a large purple flower). I did not cut it back at the end of it's bloom because I thought it should be cut back in the spring. It is about 6 ft tall and stalks and leaves look dead. It is planted in a large pot to grow up a wall and I'm afraid to cut it now (Jan/07) because it is so cold. What should I do?
    Thanks for any help you can give me.

    Joanne
     
  2. catmunn

    catmunn Member

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    Vancouver
    You need to get it identified by a garden centre staff member. There are three groups: Type A, B & C; If it blooms early in summer, it's probably Group B and flowers on old wood so should be pruned in Feb or March back to the first set of buds. If it's late flowering(late summer), then it's group C, flowers on new wood, and should be pruned hard at the end of Feb to 30" above soil level. It's not group A I'm sure. The vine now looks dead but I assure you that it is just sleeping.
     
  3. dolphinviewer

    dolphinviewer Member

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    Location:
    Powell River, BC, Canada
    Thank you for your reply. I will ask someone what type it is. I have noticed that it is already starting to send out new shoots on dead looking stalks, so I know it is not dead. Thanks for your help.
     
  4. Newt

    Newt Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Maryland USA zone 7
    From this site which has lots more helpful pruning info:
    http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/clematis/clemindx.htm

    From this site:
    http://www.rainyside.com/ornamentals/clematis_care.html

    Newt
     
  5. dolphinviewer

    dolphinviewer Member

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    Location:
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    Thanks for the info, it has been most helpful.

    Dolphinviewer
     

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