There used to be a decent FAQ associated with this forum but that seems to have vanished over the years and I don't find the current one the slightest bit helpful.

Re: pruning. Clems are lumped into 3 groups for pruning purposes, typically associated with when they bloom and if on new or old growth. Type 1's are late winter/early spring bloomers that flower on 1 year old growth. These are often labeled as "no prune". They can of course be pruned, usually if nothing more than to control size, as some grow massively large. If you need to prune, it should be done as soon as possible after flowering to ensure flowers the next season.

Type 2's are large flowered hybrids (LFH's) that bloom midseason (usually anywhere from late April/May on) that bloom mostly on new growth but also partially on older growth. These often just get a light prune in late winter to clean up the vines of dead or tangled old growth. And in many cases, a light trim after the first bloom cycle will produce a later flowering as well.

Type 3's are late season bloomers (midsummer on into fall) that flower on the current season's growth. These are usually recommended to be hard pruned each year to remove all the old dead vines and foliage. "hard pruning" means taking them back to the second or third leaf node from the ground or somewhere around 12-18" (even further if a herbaceous, non-vining type).

These are just guidelines.......pruning is not a requirement, although it will typically provide a tidier looking plant with clean, fresh foliage and flowers throughout the vine rather than clustered at the very end of the vining stems. And hard pruning for the first two seasons is often suggested for ALL newly planted clems regardless of type to encourage healthy root development and additional vines/stems from the root crown.

I usually fertilize at the start of the season after I prune. Any rose or vegetable fertilizer will work: so will any all-purpose fert (like 10-10-10). Or some folks just use a good mulch of compost. I don't find they require a lot and certainly not monthly like some sites suggest!

FYI, 'Blue Light' is a type 2 (light prune) and 'Jackmanii Superba' is a type 3 (hard prune). Since you live where there is a long growing season, you can get by with pruning both hard - all it will do is delay flowering on the Blue Light slightly but it simplifies things enormously. I don't have that many type 2's (not my faves) but I hard prune them all just to keep things simple.........works out perfectly for me :-)

gardengal, thank you so much! As usual, you go above and beyond, helping us newbies with your experience! Saved this to refer to when I get confused!

So hard pruning will be to cut each stem back to about the third leaf node? Wow, I have to post pics (for help) of the older clematis which looks like a hydrangea with several woody stems that climb about 6 feet high and then sprawl over a 10 foot long arbor! Yikes!

KC

I've seen Blue Light with flowers the size of a grapefruit. Just had to throw that in.

buyorsell, is that a good thing or a bad thing? I honestly don't know! :)