Summer and late-flowering clematis (blooming until autumn) should be pruned in February-March. This applies to clematis classified in Group 3, i.e. large-flowered clematis from mid to late summer, as well as Group 2 clematis which flower in spring and again in late summer on the current year's shoots. This winter pruning ensures abundant flowering and also helps prevent bare stems at the base. By timing it right and identifying which clematis need this winter pruning, the task isn't as daunting as you might think.

Follow our advice to avoid mistakes when pruning your summer-flowering clematis.

1 - Which clematis should be pruned in winter?

Can't remember which clematis variety you planted? As a guide, clematis that need winter pruning are varieties that produce abundant large flowers in summer (June to September) or late summer. These include the following species, traditionally classified in clematis Group 3 (Group 1 being early spring-flowering clematis with small flowers, and Group 2 being large-flowered clematis from late spring):

Group 2 clematis also need pruning, though there are fewer of them. Often called early-flowering clematis, they produce beautiful large single or double flowers from late spring in June. These clematis have the particularity of flowering twice: first on the previous year's shoots around June-July, then on the current year's new shoots in late summer, like the popular 'Nelly Moser' or 'The President' and 'Asao'. These are perpetual climbing varieties.

Remember that only these clematis require regular pruning to ensure uniform flowering.

pruning group 3 clematis, pruning group 2 clematis, winter clematis pruning

The pink Clematis viticella 'Ville de Lyon', the blue-purple Clematis 'The President', yellow-belled Clematis tangutica, and at the bottom, the white Clematis terniflora

2 - When and why to prune?

For all these clematis, timing is crucial otherwise you may end up with a climbing plant that flowers poorly, with blooms only at the tips, leaving the plant unevenly covered in flowers.

As they flower later than others, winter pruning (from February to early March) allows them to regenerate at the right time since they flower on the current year's shoots. Prune before or just as new growth begins. This winter pruning is essential for abundant flowering: it gives them enough time to produce vigorous new shoots before the warmer weather arrives. Ideally prune on a mild day when there's no risk of frost.

3 - How to prune your clematis?

Tools needed

Steps

Group 3 clematis: this is the simplest case as they only flower on the current year's shoots:

  • Start by untangling the dry stems, carefully removing any ties used for training to avoid breaking them;
  • Prune last year's stems back to 30-50cm from the ground, leaving about 3 nodes, always cutting just above a bud or new shoot if visible. The later the flowering, the harder you can prune - down to 30cm above ground. This drastic pruning stimulates many vigorous new stems;
  • Also remove dead wood and weak shoots by cutting them back to ground level;
  • Gather your prunings and chop them into smaller pieces for composting;
  • You can add well-rotted compost or organic fertiliser around the base to give it an extra boost.

Group 2 clematis: pruning is much less drastic. You may have already pruned the shoots that flowered in late spring the previous year. Just remove dead wood as with Group 3 clematis, and cut back every other stem (the oldest ones) to 30-40cm from the ground, always just above a bud.

pruning group 3 clematis, pruning group 2 clematis, winter clematis pruning

Winter pruning ensures summer-flowering clematis produce abundant blooms across the entire plant

To go further