When to prune clematis (by group)
Group 1: after spring bloom. Group 2: light late-winter trim. Group 3: cut back hard in late winter.. Clematis are grouped by bloom wood; check the plant tag for the group.
| Type | vine |
|---|---|
| Blooms on | group 1 old wood; group 2 both; group 3 new wood |
| Bloom season | spring-fall |
| When to prune | Group 1: after spring bloom. Group 2: light late-winter trim. Group 3: cut back hard in late winter. |
| Stop | No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost |
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Sources
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture): Pruning Deciduous Shrubs
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Pruning Shrubs
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
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