The mulch acts as an insulator and protects the clematis roots from the freezing temperatures. Winter preparation must start with deadheading the plants in fall. Clematis need a well-draining soil with about 8 inches of compost worked into the soil before planting. Prune them after the flowering stops to promote flowering the next season. Jill Kokemuller has been writing since 2010, with work published in the "Daily Gate City." All Rights Reserved. Plant the vines near a support, such as a trellis. Prune the large-flowered vines in the spring to remove dead wood, and after the first blooms prune the shoots back to encourage new flowers. The late-flowering varieties including Italian clematis (Clematis viticella), growing in USDA zones 4 through 11, and sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora), growing in USDA zones 5 through 9, bloom from spring through summer. To get these early-blooming vines to bloom longer, deadhead the flowers to get a second bloom. If your clematis is new to the garden, skip pruning the first year and let it mature. are usually deciduous flowering vines, although there are a few evergreen and groundcover or shrub-type varieties. Water the plants regularly until they die back on their own. She spent six years working in a private boarding school, where her focus was English, algebra and geometry. Cut back spent blooms to the base of the flower. They bloom on new growth, so you can cut back the vines to 2 to 3 feet above ground level in the winter during the dormant period. After the first year of growth, all clematis are deadheaded the same way regardless of the group they belong to. Knowing when your variety of clematis blooms helps to determine when to prune and deadhead the plant. "Nelly Moser" (Clematis "Nelly Moser") and "Niobe" (Clematis "Niobe"), growing in USDA zones 4 through 11 and 4 through 8 respectively, are two large-flowered hybrids. For the same bare stems will rise gracefully next season and adorn the landscape with their stupendous beauty. In areas subject to strong winds, it’s best to secure loose vines to the support structure using a piece of thread or twine. Ruth Gooch, author of Clematis the Complete Guide, suggests hard pruning all one- to three-year-old clematis down to the second set of strong buds above ground level. Early-flowering clematis including Alpine clematis (Clematis alpina) and downy clematis (Clematis macropetala), growing in USDA zones 4 through 9, flower in the spring. Make sure you prune judiciously, leaving the vines at least 2-3 feet tall. Pruning is an integral part of winter care of clematis. Mulching clematis is an act of great importance, to be performed just as the ground begins to freeze. Clematis pruning groups include those that flower on new growth and those that bloom on last year’s woody stem. Use dry leaves, straw, bark and other organic materials and mulch to a depth of at least 2-3 inches around the plants’ base. Clematis vines are gifted climbers and prolific bloomers with over 300 different species that offer a wide range of colors and fragrances. You can add general-purpose fertilizer to the soil each spring. Prune the plants in late winter before the advent of new growth. They should get at least 1 inch of water per week, and a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the vine will help keep the soil moist. When to prune clematis. Cutting Back to Develop the Roots During First Winter. Use dry leaves, straw, bark and other organic materials and mulch to a depth of at least 2-3 inches around the plants’ base. It is expected that after the first deadheading, the plants won’t flower during the first year. If you just planted your clematis, you might consider sacrificing green growth and flowers in exchange for root growth that makes a strong plant in the long-term. Versatile, graceful and incredibly beautiful, the clematis is undoubtedly the world’s most loved vine. Pruning is an integral part of winter care of clematis. Cut all the stems back to the ground to about 5 inches above the ground. Clematis (Clematis spp.) Avoid removing woody stems, if possible. Prune at the following times; Pruning Group 1: Prune mid- to late spring, after flowering and once the risk of frost has passed. For clematis grown in containers, use of insulating materials like plastic sheets or bubble wrap is an easy and effective way to protect them from heavy frost. The bare stems that clematis vines are reduced to in winter do present a disheartening picture but remember that it’s only temporal. Deadhead flowers if you wish, but you can also leave them alone to form attractive seed heads that will persist into winter on some species. Early-flowering clematis including Alpine clematis (Clematis alpina) and downy clematis (Clematis macropetala), growing in USDA zones 4 through 9, flower in the spring. The flowers bloom from early spring to fall depending on the species. You want to deadhead during late Winter or early Spring. Do not cut the woody main stems. Prune clematis for shape at this time, removing up to one third of the plant, if needed. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service: Clematis, University of Missouri Extension: Basic Clematis Pruning, The Ohio State University Extension: Growing Clematis, Iowa State University Extension: Clematis, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Pruning Clematis, Missouri Botanical Garden: Clematis terniflora. Hebes will need some deadheading to lengthen flowering time and improve their appearance. Avoid cutting into the woody parts of the vines. ©2020 Gardens Alive, Inc. All rights reserved. Here, you’ll find valuable tips on winter care and protection of clematis. Spring Hill Nurseries® is a registered trademark of Gardens Alive, Inc, The Most Popular Flower Names of the Past 100 Years, “Picture” Your Future Garden with Our Plant Identifier Tool, Perennial Care: How to Keep Perennials Healthy During Hot Summer Days. Avoid cutting into the woody parts of the vines. For more information on Clematis care, see tips and tricks from our Clematis Expert Deborah Hardwick.