The "ponytail" cut was exactly the technique he mentioned using for all his newer container-suitable introductions at this past weekend's presentation. He was very clear to point out that the breeding program that generated these vines was intended to produce blooms along the length of the vine, not just at the terminal ends, so flowers are generated on both ripened old wood as well as new growth.

In his book, he identifies the Boulevard Collection (what was formerly referred to as the "patio" clematis as well as a few newer ones) as requiring a different pruning technique - the ponytail - from other group 2's. This is because he asserts the vines are very free flowering and even the removal of all older growth, either from cold or pruning, will still result in flowering from the new growth within 8 weeks. He also asserts these specific vines will produce many more stems from the root crown than is typical.

Jeanne, I only have 'Picardy' from this collection and it has performed exactly as he described with a similar, hard prune. I removed all the old wood from mine earlier this season, essentailly pruning it back to the ground, and despite a very late and cold start to our spring,its now about 8-10" tall and already setting buds! And it has at least a dozen stems emerging, maybe more. They are packed so tightly it is difficult to tell at this stage.

Who knows, maybe we will have to incorporate yet another pruning group into our repetoire, just for the Evison clems :-)) I vote we call it pruning group E-3!!

Hi Jeanne, I went to Ray Evison's clematis lecture last week and I asked him this same question. He told me to give the patio clematis his ponytail cut in late February. I asked if I would need to prune it again later in the summer and he said no. Just 1 ponytail cut in late winter was all it should need is what he told me. My patio clematis both got wilt last year, so I am hoping that they will do better this year. Karen

Well, I know that when the RHS named clematis by Evison came out I specifically sent an email to the nursery to find out what pruning group each of the four varieties were. The response I got was that only Hyde Hall was a type 2, the Harlow Carr and Rosemoor were type IIIs and that Wisley could be treated as type II or III. Hyde Hall never made it but I have always treated all three remaining clematis as type IIIs. If you look them up on COTW, they say that Hyde Hall is a type II, Harlow Carr is a type II, Rosemoor is a type II, and Wisley is a type III. Bottom line is that the pruning groups are recommendations and not written in stone. Trial and experimentation are your best methods to determine how any clematis should be treated in your own garden.

Thanks for yalls input..Miguel..."Bourbon" is a baby anyway..she shall get hard pruned again anyway to aid in her development..I planted her with Climbing rosa "Mrs. Sam McGredy"..so I want her to eventually fill that corner up...I try to stay with the same pruning groups and I wanted to pull a Miguel and plant as many in that area as possible..LOL..I already have "Rosemoor" which freaked me out this year as I thought Poof ..he was gone BUT just saw him poking his head from the soil the other day..what a sleepy head he has been this year..enjoying that long winter nap just too much as I wanted him UP and at it with "Boubon"..Jeanne

Jeanne, some clematis are just naturally slower to get started than others. You shouldn't deprive your sleeping babies of their sleep! LOL Things tend to come up on their own accord anyway.

Jeanne--I'm so jealous. I ALMOST ordered Bourbon from Debbie last year, but got Rouge Cardinal instead. I was desperatley searching for a true red last year.

Mine slept pretty much last year, but are growing incredibly fast this year. I sprayed them with Messenger Mighty Plant and I swear a couple of them grew 2 inches in 2 days.

We need more pictures of Bourbon as she grows--just beautiful!

Denise !!...hey girl..wished you'd talked with me..I woulda told you to get Clematis "Mme. Julia Correvon"..You just would not believe how big she is this year and how many bloody vines shot up from the soil!!..She is just now setting buds and I can't wait!!..I got "Bourbon" from Koi Garden Clubs..lots cheaper hon and great roots..check out my link..nice to see ya posting again!!..Jeanne

Here is a link that might be useful: KOI GARDEN CLUB