Clematis pruning groups are determined by when the vine blooms. Pruning group 1's are vines that bloom in early spring on the previous seasons' growth, are almost always species clems and only need infrequent pruning to control size. And that should be done immediately after the bloom cycle so as not to interfere with the following bloom season.

Pruning group 2's are the large flowered hybrids, what most folks grow :-) These usually flower starting in May, on the previous seasons' growth and frequently later on new growth as well. While these are suggested to be pruned lightly before the primary bloom season and again after, many growers cut them back hard for ease of maintenance and that just pushes the bloom season back a few weeks, especially in those areas with a long growing season.

Pruning group 3's flower on new growth and so are late season bloomers, not starting until midsummer but often continuing late into fall. Many of these are species clems as well although quite a few are hybrids of the late season species (like the viticellas). The suggestion is to hard prune these back to 12-18" inches annually or to the 2nd set of buds.

If your clematis is blooming now - mid October - then chances are very good it is a pruning group 3 vine. So you can cut it back hard if you like....now if you prefer or in late winter when you see the buds starting to swell.

The pruning groups are only guidelines........you can choose not to prune at all. Or you can prune any of them as lightly or as hard as you wish :-) At most, it will just delay or possibly eliminate a bloom season but do the vine no actual harm. In our climate, timing is not critical either. I grow a lot of my clems in containers and when I gather and store them for winter in my nursery area, I cut them all back hard at that time. For inground clems, I normally wait until late winter (Feb/March) before pruning.

Probably way more info than you wanted :-) But the important part is my last paragraph. Pruning is not a requirement and in reality, when you do it or how hard you do it has minimal impact on the vine other than possibly altering the bloom cycle for a season. So feel free to prune away.........or not :-)

Thank you! That was exactly what I needed. I think this particular one is probably a Group 2, as it is finished blooming and turning brown now.I just included the blooming pics from earlier in the summer in case someone recognized it. I'll cut the dead stuff back and assume it will bloom again next year. Thanks again.

On my larger clematis, the dead brown leaves provide a winter haven for birds. They love to hide inside the clematis. On my smaller clematis, I usually knock off a lot of the brown dry leaves using a broom or something that won't harm the vines themselves.

Good info popmama, thanks! My yard and garden has great habitat for my resident birds, but the clematis is front and center in my view of the garden and also from the approach from the driveway. So when it's brown and dead looking, it's pretty unattractive. Hopefully, the birds will forgive me :-)